Terrible Salmon Return Numbers For Klamath River System

[hatrack]

This year's salmon fishing season seems certain to be somber, as estimates of Klamath River fish runs paint a picture that may be darker than any in 15 years.

What that may mean for tribal, commercial and recreational fishermen on the North Coast will begin to be hashed out next week, but very limited or no fishing is a possibility. Only 111,000 Klamath fish are projected to be swimming in the Pacific Ocean -- 74,000 fewer than last year and only 16,000 more than were estimated for 1992, the lowest on record. ”This year's abundance looks very low,” said California Department of Fish and Game biologist Neil Manji.

The report by the Pacific Fishery Management Council released Thursday reads that even with no fishing, the number of wild chinook salmon anticipated to spawn in the river would be 29,200. That's far fewer than the 35,000 benchmark fishery managers must meet through regulation. If last year's regulations were applied, the report reads, only 18,700 wild fish would make it to spawn a new generation.

In 2004, commercial fishermen caught four times as many Klamath fish as expected. Last year ocean anglers got to keep two fish per day, but had a much-shortened season. River fishermen had low quotas and the Yurok and Hoopa Valley tribes -- which are allotted half the available fish -- brought in less than their subsistence needs. ”It's going to be real devastating to tribal members,” said Dave Hillemeier, biologist for the Yurok Tribe.

EDIT

http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_3519620

[Atman]

1. The early poll numbers are wrong.

;-)

Bush science. What can I say?

[phantom power]

2. "this year's abundance looks very low."

I like that, in an Orwell sort of way. I should strive for that kind of mellow:

This century's survivability looks very low.