April 24, 2024 — From the Sacramento River to the coast, salmon populations have struggled to survive, and fishing for salmon in California has been canceled for the second season in a row, marking the third season in the state’s history a fishing ban has been in place. The heart of the problem: dams and climate change.
Local business impacts
The 2024 season cancelation was announced on April 10, after the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) acted unanimously to recommend the closure of California’s commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries through the end of the year, repeating recommendations made in 2023 to close the fisheries.
This decision is a blow to salmon industries and fishermen like Rickey Acosta as many struggle to find alternatives.
“Without salmon season we’re forced to figure out new species to fish for areas that we are fishing at different times of the year and what it’s caused is an effort shift not only for myself but for all of the other boats,” Acosta said.
Acosta owns and operates Feeding Frenzy, a sportfishing guide company that takes people out on the waters of the Sacramento River and Pacific Ocean to fish.