FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2025
Contacts:
Scott Artis, Golden State Salmon Association, scott@goldenstatesalmon.org, 925-550-9208
CDFW Announces fall ocean salmon fishery has met the 7,500 Chinook fall harvest guideline and is set to close remaining 2025 dates
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced yesterday that the fall ocean salmon fishery has met the 7,500 Chinook harvest guideline and will close for the remainder of 2025. Below are statements from fishermen, industry representatives, and the Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA).
Scott Artis, Executive Director, Golden State Salmon Association
“The extremely limited recreational salmon season has officially wrapped for the year. Commercial trollers had no season for the third year in a row, and the recreational fleet was given just six days OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. Businesses that depend on salmon continue to suffer, with some disappearing altogether in 2025. This shortage is no accident—it’s the direct result of choices made by Governor Gavin Newsom during the last drought, when salmon and the communities that rely on them were treated as expendable.
Meanwhile, salmon-killing projects like Sites Reservoir, the Delta Tunnel, and so-called voluntary agreements keep advancing under his watch. Where does this ecological and economic insanity end—when the last salmon struggles up our once-great rivers, or when the last fishing boat is pulled from the harbor? We’re calling on the Governor to stop attacking salmon and start standing with us to fight federal rollbacks and save California’s salmon runs and salmon jobs.”
Garrin McCarthy, Third-Generation California Commercial Fisherman
“Instead of taking a hard stance on water resource policy, the burden has been shifted to the sport and commercial fishermen, not to mention the many people of California and the United States who rely on fresh California king salmon for a quality omega-3 omega-3-rich protein.”
John McManus, Recreational Salmon Fisherman
“Businesses and families that rely on salmon to make a living in California were reminded of what income looks like during this last salmon fishing opportunity for 2025. It was a pittance compared to what it ought to be and would be but for Gavin Newsom being in lockstep with Donald Trump in diverting California rivers to big agriculture at the expense of salmon families and communities.”
Dick Ogg, California Commercial Fisherman
“With the loss of the last few years of the salmon fishery, it forced many of us to work outside the state and look to other fisheries that reduce our opportunities. The long-term effect is loss of a valuable resource to the public—one that is truly owned by the people of this country. We are food providers, and there is a real need to support that production. Looking to the future, we need to find real solutions regarding water issues. Without that, the industry is dying on the vine.”
Vance Staplin, Fishing Tackle Industry
“Lost revenue due to the closures of recent Salmon seasons has devastated retailers and associated businesses to the point that some went out of business. The tiny six-day 2025 ocean sportfishing season gave businesses a small reprieve, selling tackle that had been sitting in their stores untouched for nearly 3 years. All because Gavin Newsom aligned with Donald Trump in diverting water from California’s salmon rivers to their industrial agricultural partners at the expense of salmon families, communities, and fishing businesses.”
About the Golden State Salmon Association
The Golden State Salmon Association (www.goldenstatesalmon.org) is a coalition of salmon advocates that includes commercial and recreational salmon fishermen and women, businesses, restaurants, native tribes, environmentalists, elected officials, families, and communities that rely on salmon. GSSA’s mission is to restore California salmon for their economic, recreational, commercial, environmental, cultural, and health values.
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