The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s purpose is to manage ocean-based fisheries in federal waters off Washington, Oregon, and California, in accordance with provisions of the Pacific Salmon Treaty—an international agreement between the U.S. and Canada.
For salmon fisheries, the responsibility of the Council is to consider and provide yearly proposals to NOAA Fisheries about salmon fishery harvest limits. The Council concentrates mainly on Chinook and coho salmon. Pacific Fishery Management Council proposals are made to NOAA Fisheries on behalf of commercial and recreational parties and Tribal Nations in federal waters off the West Coast.
