Sonoma County Offers Marina Fee Waiver As Salmon, Crab Seasons Nixed

BODEGA BAY, CA — The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is offering a lifeline to the local commercial fishing community devastated by the canceled salmon and shortened Dungeness crab seasons, Sonoma County Regional Parks announced Monday.

The crab season was halted April 8 because of the increased presence of humpback whales and the risk of their entanglement. Officials called for a full closure of the 2024 salmon season for commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries because of near-historically low stock abundance forecasts caused by extreme climate disruptions, with the salmon currently returning to California’s waters impacted by drought conditions three years ago on their initial journey out to the ocean.

The board authorized the Bodega Bay Marina Temporary Fee Waiver Program, which provides monthly dock fee waivers at three marinas operated by the county. Waivers are offered to active commercial fishermen and charter fishing vessels who can show evidence of six commercial landings between 2021 and 2023.

Priority is given to those who can demonstrate financial hardship, contribution to the local fishing economy and risk of vessel abandonment.

In the wake of this significant economic blow, waivers are available until funds are exhausted.

For more information, visit SoCoParks.org/SpudPoint.

The fee waiver application can be viewed below (click within the black border) or on the county website.