Federal fisheries managers have adopted the most restrictive salmon fisheries season in the West Coast’s history.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s action follows the unprecedented collapse of the Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon stocks and declines of coho salmon stocks in Oregon and Washington.

“This is a disaster for West Coast salmon fisheries, under any standard,” said PFMC Chairman Don Hansen. “There will be a huge impact on the people who fish for a living, those who eat wild-caught king salmon, those who enjoy recreational fishing, and the businesses and coastal communities dependent on these fisheries.”

Compared to the 800,000 average Chinook catch in the years between 2000 and 2005, this year’s restrictions allow only a 9,000 fishery quota for hatchery coho salmon only off Central Oregon.

“The reason for the sudden decline of Sacramento River fish is a mystery at this time,” said Council Executive Director Don McIsaac. “The only thing that can be done in the short term is to cut back the commercial and recreational fishing seasons to protect the remaining fish.”

The announcement of the restrictions is more bad news for North Coast fishermen and the fishing industry, which is reeling from the devastating restrictions from the commercial salmon season in 2006.

Commercial fisherman Aaron Newman, who is president of the Humboldt Fisherman’s Marketing Association, calls the Sacramento River salmon stocks the lifeblood of the West Coast fishery.

“It’s going to be devastating to coastal communities,” Newman said.

But as to what caused the collapse, Newman there is a lot of finger-pointing about the what led to only seeing the return of about 80,000 of the 30 million hatchery-reared fish released into the river.

“It’s all about the water diversions,” Newman said.

Newman points to the unprecedented transport of water out of the Sacramento River Delta in recent years, combined with a decision by managers to halt the transport of outgoing juvenile hatchery fish from hatcheries past pumping stations and predators to safer waters downstream.

The PFMC reached its decision after several weeks of reviewing three season options that included input by federal and state fishery scientists, fishing industry members, public testimony and three public hearings in coastal communities.

The PFMC chose the third option, which calls for the complete closure of commercial and sport Chinook fisheries off California and most of Oregon.

Fish monger Mark McCulloch, who owns Mr. Fish Seafood said the closure will have a “huge impact on his business” and will significantly impact salmon prices and availability in the region.

“This kind of situation has happened before,” McCulloch said. “But this is worse than ever.”

McCulloch said the wild-caught salmon represents the lion’s share of his product during the summer month.

State Sen. Pat Wiggins, D – Santa Rosa, chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture has been working to secure funding to help restore salmon stocks for the long-term.

Wiggins authored Senate Bill 562, which allocates nearly $5.3 in state funds for coastal salmon and steelhead fishery restoration efforts and would also enable the state to leverage up to $20 million in federal matching funds for salmon habitat restoration.

“We are experiencing a grave crisis with regard to our salmon fishery, and the council’s recommendation reflects the urgent need to do something now to return the fishery to sustainability,” Wiggins said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced late Thursday that he will sign Wiggins’ bill and also issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in California and sent a letter to President Bush asking for help securing federal disaster assistance.

At Schwarzenegger’s request, state fisheries managers estimated the potential damage to the state from the salmon season closure would be a loss of $255 million and 2,263 jobs.

The PFMC’s recommendation will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service for approval by May 1.