California's salmon fishers warn of 'hard times coming' as they face canceled season | CNN

As Californian salmon fishers brace themselves for yet another fishing season cancellation due to dwindling fish populations, they warn of the “hard times coming” ahead. CNN reports that commercial and recreational salmon fishing in California has been halted for the second consecutive year, affecting not only the livelihoods of fishermen but also the economy of coastal communities that depend on the industry. This year, fishermen face an even larger threat as they confront challenges ranging from land subsidence in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which drastically affects water flows and fish habitat, to climate change and ocean acidification. Moreover, the current economic uncertainty and disruption caused by the pandemic have only amplified the financial and emotional strain that fishermen feel. Many worry that canceled seasons could lead to the collapse of the industry and permanent damage to the ecosystems that salmon depend on. As salmon fishing is a deeply cherished and iconic industry in California, this issue deserves more attention, awareness, and collective action to ensure a sustainable future, not only for fishermen but also for the environment and the communities that rely on them.