The March 2025 PFMC Council Meeting continued on March 9, focusing on critical discussions regarding salmon management strategies. The meeting began with a review of various tables outlining commercial, recreational, and treaty troll management alternatives, specifically addressing the performance of salmon stocks against management objectives.

Dr. O'Farrell presented an analysis of the alternatives, highlighting that the Lower Columbia River natural tules were not meeting their management objectives, as indicated by bolded figures in the report. He noted that the data available for evaluating fisheries for the upcoming year was incomplete, relying on averages and previous forecasts to approximate current conditions.

The council examined tables detailing exploitation rates for different salmon stocks, with no bolded values indicating significant concerns at this stage. A correction was made regarding footnotes in the report to clarify the data presented.

Council members engaged in discussions about the implications of the current data, particularly regarding the North of Falcon fisheries, which were primarily based on last year's preseason values. John Kerry confirmed that the modeling for these fisheries would be updated with new data from the Pacific Salmon Commission, expected before the next meeting in April.

Cindy Marchand from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation provided a tribal report, emphasizing the challenges faced by the Upper Columbia summer Chinook due to low run sizes and environmental impacts from past flooding. She advocated for shifting non-treaty ocean fishing efforts to summer months to reduce impacts on the Chinook population, which would benefit both natural spawning and hatchery programs.

Public comments included testimony from Joel Kawahara, who expressed concerns about the management alternatives and their potential impacts on salmon stocks. He emphasized the need for careful consideration of fishing quotas and the importance of ensuring adequate brood stock for hatcheries.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue discussions on the management strategies and the need for further data analysis. The council acknowledged the collaborative efforts required to address the challenges facing salmon populations and the fishing community. Further discussions are anticipated in the upcoming meetings as the council seeks to refine its management approach.