California salmon numbers decimated

SACRAMENTO, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Federal regulators in California have warned the fishing industry to expect steep cuts in salmon fishing quotas this year because of dwindling salmon stocks.

Donald McIsaac, director of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, told the Los Angeles Times just 2,000 2-year-old fish returned to the Sacramento River last year, an all-time low. There were more than 76,000 in 2004, he said.

"The implications of a precipitous decline could be substantial for both commercial and recreational fisheries coast-wide," McIsaac said.

The reasons for the decline in wild fish is being debated, included global warming and water diversion for Southern California, the report said.

The council is scheduled to meet in Sacramento in March to set annual federal catch limits before the fishing season begins in May, the newspaper said.