If predictions hold true , 1.73 million coho will return to the Pacific Northwest this summer and fall .
“ We recognize it ’ s important to provide an outlet for recreation , mental and physical health during these difficult times , and we ’ ve worked hard as a department to keep hunting and fishing opportunities open , available and safe as much as possible ,” CDFW Director Charlton H . Bonham said . “ We ’ re especially excited to welcome so many new hunters and new anglers of all ages and all backgrounds . A California fishing or hunting license is a passport to outdoor adventure and a gateway to healthy living , environmental stewardship , good times and lifetime learning .”
Other states have also seen an increase in angler participation and that means more license revenue for the states as well as more money for local fishing communities economies .
NOAA Announces the Restoration of Coho to Pescadero Creek
In January NOAA announced that it would release 10,000 coho into Pescadero Creek to help restore the once abundant runs . Located in northern California , the creek is home to a small native population of fish that has suffered from habitat loss , drought , wildfires and other setbacks that landed the fish on NOAA ’ s list of endangered runs about to become extinct .
“ Bringing coho back to the Pescadero watershed is a priority for our agency , and was possible , because extraordinary work has been done to restore their habitat ,” said Joel Casagrande , Fisheries Biologist for NOAA Fisheries ’ West Coast Region . “ Also , now there is a critical mass of support from partners and landowners in the watershed who are helping in the effort .”
Central and northern California was once home to an abundant coho runs but now the fish are suffering . NOAA is highlighting this species and working with landowners to help the habitat and using hatchery fish to supplement native runs to bolster their numbers . Out of the 10,000 fish released they are expecting back about a 2 % return ( 200 fish +. The creek has a reading station and the fish were tagged so they can monitor the actual number of retuning coho .
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Washington Calls For Opening the U . S ./ Canadian Border
Rep . Susan DelBene , along with seven members of the Washington congressional delegation , sent President Biden a letter stressing him to prioritize opening the U . S ./ Canadian border . Rep . DelBene stressed that the border crossing at Washington State ’ s Whatcom County was down 98 % in 2020 from 2019 . In 2018 it was estimated the local economies saw $ 138 million dollars spent by Canadians coming to the U . S .
One of the points in the letter was “ to develop reciprocal access to transit through boundary waters .” What this means to anglers is the ability to cross into Canadian waters , either on their way to Alaska or maybe to stop
and fish . One popular fishery is the halibut ground just off of the southern tip of Vancouver Island . Fishing lodges in Canada have had to adjust to a “ Canadian only ” cliental and with borders between providences having restrictions and even regional and local shut downs , such as the B . C . government closing access to the Haida Gwaii islands last summer . This is putting additional stress on the tourism based lodges and fishing camps . Hopefully the letter , along with some cooperation with the Canadian government will have the border open in time for summer salmon .
Salmon Farms In British Columbia ’ s Discovery Islands to Be Phased Out
British Columbia ’ s largest river , the Fraser , used to have millions of salmon returning each year but recently the fish runs have been dwindling . First Nations that have a strong cultural tie to these fish have joined pat hoglund photo www . salmonandsteelheadjournal . com 13