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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford gamer wins $6.6 million in e-sports competition ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... Medford gamer wins $6.6 million in e-sports competition ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... FISHERIES Federal fisheries regulators halt West Coast sardine season Comment By Jeff Barnard The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jeff Barnard The Associated Press Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 5:32 PM By Jeff Barnard The Associated Press Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 5:32 PM » Social News Federal regulators on Wednesday approved an early closure of commercial sardine fishing off Oregon, Washington and California to prevent overfishing. Their decision was aimed at saving the West Coast sardine fishery from the kind of collapse that led to the demise of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck's novel of the same name set in Monterey, California. Meeting outside Santa Rosa, California, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to halt the current season as early as possible, affecting about 100 fishing boats. The season normally would end June 30. Earlier this week, the council shut down the next sardine season, which was set to begin July 1. The action was taken based on revised estimates of sardine populations, which found the fish were declining in numbers faster than earlier believed. The council did not take Wednesday's decision lightly and understood the pain the closure would impose on the fishing industry, said council member Michele Culver, representing the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, it was necessary because of a new assessment of sardine stocks showing they were much lower than estimated last year, when harvest quotas were set. The once-thriving sardine industry crashed in the 1940s. Since it revived in the 1990s, most of the West Coast catch is exported to Asia and Europe, where some is canned, and the rest goes for bait. Sardine population estimates have been declining since 2006, and catch values since 2012. The reasons are not well-understood, though it is widely accepted that huge populations swings are natural and generally are related to water temperatures. Roughly 100 boats have permits to fish for sardines on the West Coast. That's about half the number during the heyday. By Jeff Barnard The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jeff Barnard The Associated Press Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 5:32 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501