The Day I Caught The Last Salmon In The World

The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted Thursday to ban commercial and recreational fishing of chinook salmon off the California coast and most of Oregon this year. The goal is to reverse an unprecedented decline in the population from the

Sacramento River, traditionally one of the West Coast's most productive wild salmon runs.

The financial impact of this year's ban, which nixed the expected April 5 start of the recreational salmon fishing season, has already hurt Monterey County fishermen and those who support them.

"Normally, (Moss Landing Harbor) would be just a hotbed of activity - no slips available, and parking hard to come by," said Harbormaster Linda MacIntyre on Friday. "Now, it's just like another November day.

"It's a domino effect, and it will have a major impact on not only the local community but the economy of the county."

MacIntyre said the harbor district will likely lose tens of thousands of dollars, if not more, in lost parking, launching, berthing and dry storage fees. As many as 400 vessels leave Moss Landing harbor during a typical salmon season.

"During the opening weekend (during most years), we probably make $25,000," she said. "And of course they buy bait, and they buy marine supplies, and they buy fuel from the fuel dock and supplies from the local supermarkets and convenience stores. And of course the RV park that is on the harbor district's property, they actually told us that they had a number of cancellations."

Ban affects everyone
She said the fishing ban will probably lead to unemployment in both the local fishing community and its support businesses. The harbor district itself is considering reducing some of its staff, MacIntyre said.

"Even if people don't have any interest in fishing, it's going to be an impact when they go to the restaurant and try to order salmon at 30 bucks a pound - assuming there's even any salmon to be had," she said.

There should be plenty of farm-raised salmon and wild sockeye from Alaska on the market, but it will be hard to find chinook, also known as king salmon, which is prized by anglers and upscale restaurants.

Despite the hits her community will take, MacIntyre said no one's arguing the ban.

"One guy said it best: Nobody wants to be the one to catch the very last salmon in the world," she said. "We need a good federal and state water management program in the Sacramento River and the Klamath River that will allow the fish to go up and spawn and then get back down to the ocean, so they can grow into fish big enough that we can catch and eat."