MOSS LANDING — June 30 was the last day of the season for commercial salmon fishing.
At Moss Landing Harbor recently, fishermen were weighing in their last catch of the season. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has officially closed the season for any fishing of ocean salmon from Point Sur to the California-Mexico border.
According to the CDFW, salmon season is expected to open back up in the spring of 2018.
Jarid Rold, a commercial fisherman and captain of the Deputy Dog fishing boat, explained that he and his crew go out to sea anywhere from four to six miles to fish mostly for King Salmon that he then sells to fish brokers in southern California, and local restaurants such as Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing. He also catches eel using traps that are shipped to Korea.
“The season was slow, but with the price being high made it a little more doable,” Rold said. “I have caught over 11 hundred pounds this year, which isn’t a lot compared to previous years when I’ve caught a million pounds.”
Mike Pha, a crew member on the Natalie Rose fishing boat said, noted that the crew yielded 65 tons this year.”
“The last two to three years there have been no anchovies or sardines,” he said. “We go all the way to San Diego and back, to Bodega and Oregon following the fish.”
Johnny Solomon, a Moss Landing fishing master on the Pacific Endeavor and the Pacific Bully fishing boats, said that Moss Landing is the ideal place to fish.
“At times we will stay out a whole week anchored in a fishy-full area catching fish,” Solomon said.
Solomon plans to catch mostly squid to be used for calamari during the month of December when squid catching is at its best.
For information about open and closing seasons, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov.
