Coast Guard increasing patrols for Northern California salmon season

HUMBOLDT, Calif. — As Northern California’s recreational salmon season ramps up, the U.S. Coast Guard says they are increasing patrols to help keep anglers safe and ensure boaters are following federal and state safety regulations.

This marks the second recreational salmon season after several years of closures, bringing more boat traffic to the water as anglers head out in search of salmon. The Coast Guard says their focus during the busy season will be less about fishing violations and more about making sure boaters are prepared before leaving the dock.

“The majority of the violations that we see on the wreck side from the Coast Guard standpoint typically are safety here,” said Lieutenant Junior Grade Amanda Bourgeois with the U.S. Coast Guard. “So, less living marine resources and more safety recreational. So you’re looking at like fire extinguishers, flares, personal flotation devices, that kind of thing.”

According to Humboldt Bay Surface Operations Chief Scott Bock, some of the biggest violations seen during Northern California’s salmon season involve missing required safety gear and paperwork.

“It is imperative that boaters carry the required safety equipment per state and federal law,” Bock said in an emailed statement. “As a reminder, children under 13 are required to wear a lifejacket all times, above decks, on a moving vessel.”

Bock said officers also regularly encounter boaters without vessel documentation and registration paperwork onboard.

“It is also important that boaters carry their vessel’s documentation and registration paperwork onboard, similar to what you carry in your vehicle,” Bock said. “Last year, we saw numerous boats that did not have that paperwork onboard.”

The Coast Guard says the most common citations involve not carrying required safety equipment for the size of the vessel or the number of people onboard.

“Not carrying the required safety equipment, including lifejackets, fire extinguishers, and flares for the size of vessel and number of people onboard,” Bock said.

Bourgeois said the Coast Guard often works alongside California Department of Fish and Wildlife during enforcement operations, particularly when it comes to fishing regulations and living marine resource violations.

As for catch limits, Bock said the current recreational limit remains two salmon per person per day with a minimum size requirement of 20 inches. However, he said anglers should continue checking with California Fish and Wildlife throughout the season, as regulations can change.

While California Fish and Wildlife manages state waters within three nautical miles of shore, Bock said federal regulations take over farther offshore, though recreational limits currently mirror state rules.

Before heading out, Coast Guard officials are also encouraging boaters to check weather and ocean conditions, follow safety regulations and make smart decisions on the water.

“Our pitch in the Coast Guard is always please be safe, follow the recreational and commercial safety regulations, be smart about being out there, check the weather, and as always follow all laws and regulations,” Bourgeois said.

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