Ocean Conditions

Poor oceanic feeding conditions and commercial fishing have been identified as key causes of the collapse of Sacramento River fall run Chinook salmon. Prior to the halt on commercial salmon fishing in 2007, the Pacific Fisheries Management Council estimated that approximately 50 percent of adult salmon were being harvested by commercial fisherman. This dramatically reduces the number of salmon returning upriver to spawn and increased the prevalence of hatchery born salmon. In comparison, a study by the Department of Water Resources found that only 0.4 percent of Delta salmon are lost directly at the Delta pumps.

Additional Information

2009 Pacific Fisheries Management Council: What caused the Sacramento fall Chinook stock collapse?

Chase for the King: Salmon Fisherman Return to Delta Article in Stockton Record (Sep. 3, 2010)