September 17, 2013 — The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted unanimously Monday in Boise to prohibit development of commercial fisheries for several bait fish that are crucial to Idaho’s salmon when they live in the ocean.
Pacific saury, sand lance, smelt and other small fish make up as much as 50 percent of the diet of salmon during the one to three years they spend in the Pacific. But with increasing world demand for protein, these tiny fish are being relied upon to feed farmed fish, livestock and chickens.
Idaho members Herb Pollard, the vice chair and Cal Groen, were advocates for the amendments to several plans. The council, which includes members from Pacific states and Idaho, still must go through several steps before ensuring the forage fish are not exploited.
But the vote Monday set the direction for future policy.