NOAA Debates Limiting Salmon Fishing To Support Struggling Orcas

SEATTLE — NOAA Fisheries is considering a proposal to limit Chinook salmon fishing in an effort to support the struggling Southern Resident killer whale population.

But, before any action is taken, they are asking the public to weigh in on the proposal first.

As the Associated Press first reported, the proposal would only limit commercial and recreation fishing when salmon forecasts are low, leaving more food for the endangered orcas.

"[Y]ears when Chinook salmon abundance is low could represent increased risk to the whales," NOAA explains. "The whales may be unable to find sufficient prey to maintain their energy stores, leading to declines in their health, reproduction, and survival. The goal of the proposal is to reduce impacts on Chinook salmon fisheries that meet the prey needs of Southern Resident killer whales when prey abundance is low, while still providing fishing opportunities."

The proposal came at the recommendation of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, who created a workgroup featuring representatives from several West Coast states, local tribal nations and NOAA Fisheries itself, and who studied the impact of West Coast fisheries on the local orca population.

After completing their studly, they issued a recommendation to cap fishing impacts off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California, but only when the salmon forecasts are low. That plan suggests setting the threshold at around 966,000 fish — the average of the seven lowest forecast years for northern Oregon and Washington. As NOAA notes, Chinook numbers have consistently remained above that threshold since 2007.

If Chinook numbers fell below that threshold, the proposal would:

• Limit fishing quotas north of Cape Falcon, Oregon.
• Close areas off the Columbia River and Grays Harbor to all but tribal fishing until June 15.
• Delay ocean commercial fishery between Cape Falcon and the Oregon-California border until April 1.
• Close areas near the Klamath River and Monterey Bay in California to recreation and commercial salmon fishing from October 1 through March 31.

NOAA Fisheries says two of the three remaining Southern Resident orca pods forage for food in or near these restricted areas.

Chinook salmon are the preferred diet of the Southern Resident killer whales, and though the whales will adapt and eat other fish when supplies are low, the salmon are much better at meeting their dietary needs. The Center for Whale Research estimates that at least 80 percent of the Southern Resident's diet consists of Chinook Salmon.

Before they adopt the proposal, NOAA Fisheries is asking for public comment, which will be accepted through August 2. After that, NOAA will have 30 to decide whether to adopt the Pacific Fishery Management Council's recommendation.