California Salmon
Salmon management in California is a web of river conditions, hatchery practices, and water policy decisions that all feed into what the commercial fleet and our port communities depend on, salmon in the ocean. Each year’s commercial ocean harvest, along with other salmon harvest opportunities, depends on forecasts, hatchery returns, and how many juveniles reach the ocean. The Pacific Fishery Management Council, advised by bodies such as the Salmon Advisory Subpanel made up of stakeholders and the Salmon Technical Team, sets harvest levels and escapement goals. California’s commercial ocean salmon fishery has now been closed for three years, which has brought fishermen, managers, and advocates into closer alignment on lasting solutions.
The process is overseen federally through the Pacific Fishery Management Council, with input from state managers, fishermen, and scientists. California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife implements those decisions through state regulations. It’s a complex system, but PCFFA stays in the middle of it, pushing for practical management, increased hatchery production, and better river conditions in all watersheds that will lead to more salmon in the ocean and a return to open, reliable seasons.
our work in the salmon fishery
salmon advocacy
PCFFA represents California’s commercial salmon fleet in the forums where management decisions are made. We participate in multiple state and federal processes that shape salmon and water policy, including the Salmon Advisory Subpanel of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, where we advocate for the greatest possible opportunity for ocean harvest while keeping future seasons in mind.
PCFFA also serves on the California Commercial Salmon Trollers Advisory Committee, which guides how salmon stamp funds are used, advocating for flow, habitat restoration, hatchery improvements, and education that strengthen the fishery and coastal communities. Across all venues and in every discussion that impacts salmon, PCFFA brings attention to the importance of ocean abundance and the critical need to maintain a working fishery that supports California’s coastal communities. We also continue to press for federal disaster relief for the fleet during closures.
current priorities and outcomes
Our top priority is addressing the collapse of fall-run Chinook in the Sacramento River system that our fleet depends on most. But every salmon watershed matters. As production improves in other rivers, more salmon reach the ocean and contribute to abundance, creating more opportunities. PCFFA works across watersheds to make sure recovery investments translate into real fishing seasons and a viable future for the fleet.
Eel River engagement in Potter Valley Project- advovating for salmon reintroduction (LINK TO POSITION STATEMENT) .
Klamath:
American:
Yuba:
San Joaquin:
Mokelumne:
Feather:
PBT?
DC Trip?
PCFFA President George Bradshaw testified on the status of the salmon season, at the Joint Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee’s 50th Annual Zeke Grader Fisheries Forum October 2025..
the bridge group
PCFFA represents California’s commercial ocean fleet in the Bridge Group, a coalition of fishermen, farmers, researchers, and conservationists working to rebuild Northern California salmon runs. The group focuses on real projects that connect river and ocean, coordinating hatchery releases, improving migration routes, and restoring habitat so more salmon reach the ocean.
The Bridge Group grew out of years of gridlock between water and fish interests and now includes organizations representing agriculture, fishing, and science, including the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Together, we are tackling migration challenges, hatchery practices, food availability, and rearing habitat in the Sacramento River system.
PCFFA’s role keeps the commercial fleet at the table to ensure that restoration and water strategies translate into harvestable salmon and open seasons, not just more studies. The Bridge Group’s cooperative approach shows that fishermen and farmers can move beyond the old fight over water and build a future where salmon recovery and working landscapes go hand in hand
hatcheries and mitigation
PCFFA works to ensure California’s hatchery system meets its full mitigation obligations for salmon lost to dams and water projects. We have partnered with PCFFA affiliate member Golden Gate Fishing Association and inland fishermen at the Nor Cal River Guides & Sportsmen Association to advance the Fishing Industry Salmon Hatchery Initiative (FISHI) for increased hatchery production and improved strategies.
Our focus is on ensuring that hatchery output reflects real fishery needs and supports a viable ocean and inland harvest. We are working with partners to advance proposals for expanded and updated facilities, stronger coordination among programs, and production targets that track with ocean outcomes.
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