Comprehensive Management Plan for Puget Sound Chinook: Harvest Management Component - Annual Postseason Report 2003-04 Fishing Season

Executive Summary

Overall outcomes from 2003-04 fisheries were disappointing. Spawning escapement for some Puget Sound chinook populations did not meet preseason expectations, and total (preliminary) chinook catches in Puget Sound recreational and commercial fisheries were down about 60% from preseason expectations. Much of this shortfall can be attributed to higher-than-expected impacts in Canadian fisheries. Actual landed catches in Canadian fisheries exceeded preseason expectation by about 36%, or over 100,000 fish.