Commercial salmon fishing operations will resume in California waters for the first time since 2022, marking the end of a two-year closure implemented to protect declining fish populations.

The reopening comes as salmon populations have shown signs of recovery after reaching critically low levels that prompted state and federal regulators to halt commercial fishing operations along the California coast in 2022.

The closure was part of broader conservation efforts to allow salmon stocks to rebuild after years of decline attributed to various environmental factors including drought conditions, habitat loss, and changing ocean conditions.

The decision to reopen commercial fishing represents a significant development for California's fishing industry, which has been affected by the extended closure. Commercial salmon fishing is an important economic activity for coastal communities throughout the state.

Regulators will continue monitoring salmon populations closely as fishing operations resume to ensure the recovery remains sustainable and populations continue to stabilize.