A True Fish Tale: Fort Bragg Now

Imagine being told by the government that you can no longer do the work you've been doing because the government just made it an illegal activity. Sorry, you'll have to find something else to do.
That happened in 2008 when it became illegal to fish for salmon off the coast of California and Oregon.
Suddenly, families dependent on having healthy runs of wild salmon were put out of business. The towns that relied on salmon fishing to support local businesses were tragically on their way to economic ruin. A grim reality. A reality caused by a sharp and unexpected decline of wild salmon populations that came as a result of excessive water diversions in salmon habitat. Because the salmon water was now flowing to Westside San Joaquin Valley agribusiness and Southern California. Water needed by salmon to thrive.
Three years after the salmon fishing ban started, it was lifted. Finally, the towns that depended on salmon fishing were back in business.
Fort Bragg, California is not that easy to get to. But when salmon are fishable, people flock to the town. Salmon are an economic magnet.
Other then being in Fort Bragg yourself, there is no better way to see just how much an impact that salmon have then by watching this Salmon Water Now video. The town went through horrible economic misery while salmon fishing was banned. Look at it now!
A True Fish Tale: Fort Bragg Now, without a single word of narration, makes a powerful counter-point to the silence on the subject by Westlands Water District and other Central Valley water irrigators who demand more and more water.
There is enough water in California for both agriculture and salmon. As you can see in this video, making sure water is fairly allocated is critical. We hope our pictures, and the words of the people in Fort Bragg, make a lasting impression on those who would dismiss the cultural and economic importance of wild salmon.
A True Fish Tale: Fort Bragg Now

[@ohsugar5431]

I have been coming to this harbor since the 1960's. Salmom, halibit, bass, rock cod & crab. So fresh & delicious! 🙏

[@Bulgeofpersuasion]

The first salmon I caught was in 1982. In the Noyo river. Out of season.... poached. Right off the banks above the harbor. My mom cooked it for us.

[@poigmhahon]

Started fishing in F. Bragg 1977 16yo kid FV "Catalina Girl" with Dick Green, ended up fishing the whole west coast, crabbing in the Bering Sea. Brings back memories.

[@skymaster9484]

My dad was good friends with Dick we were running partners together sometimes in the 70's. My dad had the Trident a double-ender then fished on the Majorie M when he sold it Dick was a really good man.

[@ohsugar5431]

Dear Lord, thank-you for the beautiful gift of salmon. And, thank-you for the brave fishermen that catch these fish each year for all of us to enjoy. Amen.

[@realestateinbodegabay7690]

History repeats. 2023 closure.
Great time capsule here. Thank you.

[@btokars]

@noyopram - Thanks for your comment. None of the Ft. Bragg shots were done from a boat.

[@lorriehall425]

My first king salmon I caught was 1975 from the Noyo River.

[@alexanderx33]

With how tenuous a grasp california salmon have on life, given the heat and the dependance on hatcheries. Unless a proportional portion of the funding for those hatcheries operations is coming from the commercial liscences, I don't think it makes sense for there to be commercial liscences issued in California. This isn't Alaska or British columbia where they can live without life support. If the economics don't work out for it, there's no good reason to subsidize a something thats loosing money if we don't have the geographic specialization factors in our favor.
I can't help but wonder how much better the recreational fishery would be without the impact of the commercial fishery.

[@holdersteven]

The problem is the dams they built on all these California rivers. Theres no spawning gravel beds for them to lay their eggs.The Toulumne river race of Coho is now considered extinct

[@noyopram]

great video, i got lots of pics of those boats too. what boat are you on toward the end, nice fish too.

[@noyopram]

ok, thanks for the reply keep the boat videos coming lol.

[@stevendelcarlo3294]

I remember when Caito fisheries was calshell fisheries

[@heavymetal5214]

Now that f/v Mandy left for other waters, lesser fisherman with wife bought boats might be able to catch some.

[@Ohswby]

right now the harbor is plugged

[@Ohswby]

its tommy!

[@usmc12108]

@TheSuperClaude
unless you wanna get fined no!

[@ix_stompdown_-xi8199]

Salmon won’t b around much longer!

[@bandit6048]

And they're out overfishing again