Salmon fishing could stop off Wash. coast

Salmon fishing off Washington’s coast could shut down for the 2016 season because of the huge shortfall predicted for returning coho.

For charter fishing owners like Don Davenport of Ocean Sport Fishing, that could mean a bleak season.

“It would have a major effect. Probably 50 percent of our business is salmon,” Davenport said.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife along with tribal and federal fishery managers are considering a shutdown because of a predicted shortage of wild coho, or silver salmon. The numbers are so low, Lorraine Loomis, chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, said in a news release, “In many instances returns will likely be far below minimum levels needed to produce the next generation of salmon.”

Fishing for Chinook, also known as king salmon, would also be prohibited, to protect the threatened coho.

Davenport says if the state Department of Fish and Wildlife follows through with a plan to shut down ocean salmon fishing, the whole town would suffer.

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“It’s what Westport is known for,” said Davenport. “We used to be called the salmon capital of the world. I’d like to think we still are, but if they shut it down we’re in trouble. The whole town’s in trouble.”

The release says the options being considered include drastically shortening fishing seasons, setting very low quotas of fish caught or stopping all sport and commercial ocean salmon fishing for the season.

“It’ll make it very difficult; basically you’re laid off,” said Brian Mirante, captain of the charter fishing boat Sea Angel.

He says he can charter his boat for more bottom fish, albacore and limited halibut runs. But without salmon, the loss could be devastating. Mirante says local restaurants, hotels and shops that depend on the yearly influx of visitors who come for the salmon fishing would mean the local economy would suffer.

“Salmon has always been Westport’s golden egg and it’s what keeps this community going.”

A decision is expected in mid-April. Until then, Fish and Wildlife is taking public comment, including at a hearing March 28 and

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Cox Media Group