Two salmon populations are no longer considered overfished, ending special protections

The US government has removed special fishing restrictions for two salmon populations off the West Coast. These salmon stocks, Queets River coho and Strait of Juan de Fuca coho, have recovered enough that they no longer need rebuilding plans.

When a fish stock is declared overfished, it triggers a series of strict management rules, including limits on how many can be caught and specific rebuilding plans. Removing these plans means that fishing quotas and other regulations for these two coho salmon populations will now be set under standard management rules. This could lead to more flexible fishing opportunities for commercial and recreational fishers.