Salmon fishing to be banned off California coast for 2nd year in a row

The federal council that regulates fishing along the West Coast recommended Wednesday that the California ocean salmon season be canceled for the second year in a row. The renewed ban is a devastating blow to the state's commercial and recreational fishing industry, still reeling from a similar decision last year.  

The Pacific Fishery Management Council based its decision on continued low water levels and high temperatures in rivers where salmon spawn. Scientists say these poor river and ocean conditions have resulted in historically low population numbers for the iconic species.  

The Sacramento River watershed provides the greatest proportion of salmon on the West Coast. It used to support between 1 and 2 million fish every year, but in 2023, only 134,000 adult salmon returned to that river to spawn.