The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled its annual salmon information meeting for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 via webinar.
This year’s public meeting will feature CDFW’s outlook for the 2022 sport and commercial ocean salmon fisheries, plus a review of the 2021 salmon fisheries and spawning escapement.
Stakeholders are encouraged to participate by providing input on potential fishing seasons to a panel of fishery managers, scientists and industry representatives who will be participating in the upcoming Pacific Fishery Management Council meetings in March and April.
The 2022 salmon information meeting marks the start of a two-month public process to develop annual sport and commercial ocean salmon fishing regulations. The process involves collaborative negotiations between West Coast states, federal agencies, tribal co-managers and stakeholders engaged in salmon fishery management and conservation.
CDFW officials said public input helps California representatives develop recommended season alternatives at the March 8-14 Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting. Final season regulations are expected to be adopted at the council’s April 6-13 meeting.
Meeting details, handouts and instructions on how to join the webinar are expected to be published in advance of the event on the CDFW’s Ocean Salmon webpage, https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Ocean/Regulations/Salmon/preseason