[ODFW-News] Commercial trip limits imposed for two nearshore ocean fish

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =09
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356=09
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
=09
For Immediate Release	Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Commercial Trip Limits Imposed for Two Nearshore Ocean Fish

NEWPORT - Commercial fishing boats will be limited to landing 1,200 pounds =
of cabezon or 350 pounds of greenling during each of two-month catch =
periods, under an emergency rule adopted to stretch out the season and =
prevent an early fishery closure.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife signed the emergency rule last =
week after hearing guidance from the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission =
and meeting with the commercial fishing industry on the expected catch =
rates. An ODFW review of the 2003 nearshore groundfish catch data found =
that the commercial fishery would reach the harvest quota before mid-summer=
. The action taken ensures local fish markets of fresh cabezon and =
greenling through October.=20

The trip limits apply to four catch periods in 2003: Feb. 22 - April 30, =
May 1 - June 30, July 1 - Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 - Oct. 31.

Both species are marketed as live fish for sale in specialty fish markets. =
Greenling also are known as sea trout. The species are among several =
grouped as "nearshore groundfish." Recently, harvest cuts have been =
imposed on groundfish that live in deeper waters due to overfishing. =
Little is known about many nearshore species, but concern exists that =
harvest pressure will continue to increase as some commercial boats shift =
to nearshore fisheries due to off shore regulation changes and market =
demands. =20

The harvest quota for 2003 is about 31.3 metric tons (69,000 pounds) for =
cabezon and 19.5 metric tons (nearly 43,000 pounds) for greenling. In =
2002, the total harvest was 45.3 metric tons for cabezon and 53.4 metric =
tons for greenling. Between 1997 and 2002, the commercial harvest more =
than doubled due to improved fishing techniques for these species fueled =
by high demand for the high priced, live product.=20

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will review the temporary rule at =
its regularly scheduled meeting in Newport March 20-21 and consider making =
the rule permanent. ODFW will continue to monitor the catch and will =
adjust trip limits up or down to achieve the goal of reaching the harvest =
quota by Oct. 31.=20

###


Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5528