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Applications NOW OPEN for 2023 Salmon Disaster Relief

Applications for the 2023 California Salmon Disaster Relief opened at 12:00 PM PST on Monday, March 3, 2025, and close at 11:59 PM PDT on Sunday, June 1, 2025.



Relief payments will not be made until after the close of the minimum 90-day application period. 

Applications can only be submitted through PSMFC’s online portal, which requires a unique 8-digit ID. Notifications containing the weblink, QR code, and unique IDs were mailed during the week of February 24, 2025, to the address on record with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

According to our colleagues at Golden State Salmon Association who are tracking the issue closely, the outlook for this year’s salmon season is abysmal and unlikely to result in a 2025 fishing season. 

On Feb 26th, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) hosted its annual 2025 Salmon Information Meeting and announced an incredibly low ocean abundance forecast of a 165,655 Sacramento River Fall-Run Chinook Salmon. The 2025 forecast released today is much lower than the 213,622 fall-run salmon ocean abundance predicted last year. In response to the miserable ocean abundance forecast, agencies said in their presentation that this data “will constrain 2025 fisheries” and fisheries managers must “proceed with caution” in “another tough year” when determining the upcoming California salmon fishing season. Both CDFW and NOAA noted poor out-migrating river conditions for baby salmon – specifically the Sacramento River having experienced low water flows and high temperatures in recent years.

Another key indicator of salmon health is the number of adult fall-run Chinook returning to the Sacramento River Basin. In February, the Pacific Fishery Management Council released its review of the 2024 salmon fisheries and reported a preliminary estimate of 99,274 adult fall-run Chinook that returned to the Sacramento River Basin last year, which is 55% of the 2024 management objective of at least 180,000 fish. The PFMC will formally review the situation at its March 2025 meeting prior to developing management alternatives for the 2025 fishing season. 

For more information about salmon and upcoming meetings:

March 5-11: PFMC March Meeting, Vancouver, WA

The Council will determine whether any in-season actions are required for fisheries scheduled to open prior to May 16. They will also craft three regulatory alternatives for ocean salmon fisheries in effect on or after May 16. Final adoption of alternatives for public review is tentatively scheduled for March 11.

Preseason Report II: Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2025 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations will be available online in late March at www.pcouncil.org.

March 24: PFMC Public Hearing

The Council will receive comments from the public on the three California ocean salmon fishery regulatory alternatives adopted by the Council in March. More information is available at www.pcouncil.org.

April 9-15: PFMC April Meeting

April 16-17: CFG Commission Meeting

Meeting March 13th, 9am

The Marine Resources Committee is an advisory body to the Fish & Game Commission. During MRC meetings, topics are discussed in greater detail and more public comment time is given. No decisions are made but it is a good time to engage in your fishery/topic of interest. Topics being discussed include commercial coonstripe shrimp fishery potential regulation changes, staff and agency updates on MPA network enforcement statistics and the Commission Coastal Fishing Communities Policy Implementation.

Moss Landing Battery Plant Clean Up Survey

The county health department is launching a community survey to ask residents about their experience during the fire and any symptoms they may be experiencing HERE. The survey is open to anyone who wants to participate and will be available through March 14.

The Monterey Herald published an article on Feb 26th with more information about the clean up process. Read the article HERE if you have a subscription to the Monterey Herald.

PFMC March Meeting

March 5-11

CDFW Marine Resources Committee Meeting

March 13

PFMC Public Hearing

March 24

Santa Cruz Port Commission Meeting

March 25

Moss Landing Harbor Meeting

March 26

info@mbfishtrust.org | montereybayfisheriestrust.org