[ODFW-News] Fish and Wildlife Commission hears options for Columbia River sport sturgeon seasons

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009
	

For Immediate Release	Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003

Fish and Wildlife Commission hears options for Columbia River sport sturgeon seasons


SALEM - Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Friday recommended to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission that the estuary portion of the lower Columbia River be open for sturgeon harvest seven days a week five months of the year and the river above the estuary be open to harvest three days a week 10 months of the year. 

Of the several options presented, the Commission supported the staff recommendation. The Commission indicated changing the legal size limit for sturgeon was undesirable at this time. The final decision for the 2004 and 2005 Columbia River sturgeon seasons will be made Jan. 7, 2004, in Vancouver, Wash., by the Oregon and Washington departments fish and wildlife working as the Columbia River Compact.

"It's time to try this," said ODFW program manager Steve King said about the three days per week recommendation. Many sport anglers have advocated extending the harvest season by closing down certain days of the week.
The seven-member Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The panel meets monthly to adopt policies and administrative rules for fish and wildlife management in the state.

The sturgeon season in the lower Columbia River is managed to maintain a healthy population of white sturgeon in all age classes by limiting the annual harvest and the size of fish that may be retained. For sport anglers, catch and release angling of sturgeon may occur once the harvest season closes. 

The objectives governing the sport sturgeon fishery include: set a maximum annual harvest of 40,000 fish, allocate 80 percent of the harvest to sport anglers and 20 percent to commercial boats, split the sport catch 60 percent in the estuary area and 40 percent to non-estuary areas, minimize the need for emergency in-season action and maintain fishery monitoring and management capabilities. The Commission, however, directed ODFW staff to discuss with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife the potential of shifting some portion of the estuary sport catch to the fishery above the estuary because of the greater of number of people who participate in that area. 

The Commission heard eight different options for the sport fishery:
-Option 1: Open the non-estuary area above the Wauna power lines for specific days per week. Biologists estimate a 15,000 fish catch during a three-day per week fishery open the entire year. This option would result in about 116,400 angler trips in this area, but would exceed the desired 12,000 fish harvest.
-Option 2: Maintain spring fishing opportunity in the non-estuary area above the Wauna power lines. Biologists estimate this option would result in a 12,000 fish catch through a Jan. 1 - July 31 and Dec. 13 - 31 season and 90,700 angler trips above Wauna. This option would reduce the opportunity to fish near Bonneville Dam from the bank compared to previous years. 
-Option 3: Open the non-estuary area above the Wauna power lines three days per week, with Aug. 1 - Sept. 15 closed to harvest. Biologists estimate this option would result in a 13,300 fish harvest from 100,400 angler trips above Wauna. The season would be open three days per week Jan. 1 - July 31 and Sept. 16 - Dec. 31. If the late season opened two weeks later, on Oct. 1, the catch would drop to 12,000 fish.
-Option 4: Extend the estuary fishery below the Wauna power lines into July. Biologists estimate this option would result in a 18,300 fish catch during a Jan. 1 - April 30 and June 1 - July 3 season. This option would result in 39,100 angler trips below Wauna.
-Option 5: Extend the estuary fishery below the Wauna power lines by increasing the minimum size limit. Biologists estimate this option would result in a 14,800 fish catch with a Jan. 1-June 15 season with a 42-60 inch size limit and a June 16-July 9 season with a 48-60 inch size limit. This option would result in 52,700 angler trips below Wauna. 
-Option 6a: Raise the minimum size limit to 48 inches in the lower Columbia River below Bonneville Dam. Biologists estimate this option would result in a 9,000 fish harvest in the estuary and a 5,300 fish harvest above the estuary and 270,100 total angler trips. 
-Option 6b: Reduce the maximum size limit to 54 inches in the lower Columbia River below Bonneville Dam. Biologists estimate this option would result in a 21,100 fish catch in the estuary and a 13,800 fish catch above the estuary and 155,100 total angler trips. This option would affect the Oregon bank fishery in the Columbia River gorge. 
-Option 7: Follow the 2003 season structure. The season would be open for retention Jan. 1 - April 30 and June 8 - July 11 in the estuary and Jan. 1 - Feb. 29 and Sept. 15 and Dec. 31 above the estuary. Biologists estimate the catch would be 18,000 fish in the estuary and 12,000 fish above the estuary and would result in 129,800 total angler trips.

The Commission supported a proposal that would open the estuary area below Wauna power lines seven days per week Jan. 1 - April 30 and June 1 - July 3; or Jan. 1 - April 30 and May 15 - June 27. Commissioners supported opening the area above the estuary three days per week Jan. 1 - July 31 and Oct. 1 - Dec. 31.

*Commission hears options for trap check requirements for predatory animals; decision due in February

After hearing from members of a trapping advisory committee, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission directed ODFW staff to present a new option for predatory animal trap check times that incorporates Friday's testimony and discussion.

The Commission called for a new regulation proposal that applies to all government and private trappers equally, treats killing traps differently from restraining traps, establishes a 76-hour trap check time for restraining traps, includes a defined time period for checking killing traps and does not include an exemption for natural disasters. The Commission also told ODFW to present the results of an economic analysis of all options being considered. 

The Commission is expected to adopt the new rules in February 2004. The original scheduled called for adoption in January, but had to be pushed back to meet rulemaking guidelines set by the Oregon Secretary of State.

In Oregon, predatory animals are defined in statute and include coyotes, rabbits, rodents, feral swine and birds that are, or may be, destructive to agricultural crops. 

The 2001 Legislature amended state law to require furbearer traps to be checked every 48 hours and predator traps to be checked "on a regular basis." The Oregon Legislature left it up to the Commission to define, in administrative rules, what constitutes a "regular basis." The options under consideration attempt to define "on a regular basis."

Earlier this year, the Commission formed an advisory committee to assist with the development of a draft rule. The committee did not come to full consensus, but members' ideas were used in the development of options. 


*Harvest rules adopted for nearshore groundfish, halibut and sardines

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday adopted commercial and sport marine nearshore groundfish fishing regulations and seasons for 2004. The rules govern the area from shore outward three miles and mirror those adopted earlier this year by the federal government for the area from three miles to 200 miles offshore.

The adopted commercial regulations are similar to those from the 2003 season with adjustment of the width and location of the closed "rockfish conservation area" for different two-month catch periods. A new vessel monitoring system to track the location of vessels is being implemented January 1, 2004. 

Nearshore commercial and recreational caps and trip limits were established Friday. The commercial black rockfish harvest cap decreased slightly from 2003 to 111.9 metric tons.  The nearshore rockfish complex of 13 species had the harvest cap reduced from 21.3 metric tons to 16. metric tons, an increase in commercial greenling harvest cap of 20 percent was approved and the harvest cap for cabezon remained at 31.3 metric tons. In addition, commercial trip limits imposed in 2003 will be re-instated for 2004 in an effort to stretch the fishery out for most months of the year. 

For nearshore recreational harvest, most 2003 harvest caps remained the same for 2004.  Black rockfish/blue rockfish caps are reduced slightly. Sport groundfish regulations for 2004 also include a closure outside of a 40-fathom line June 1 - Sept. 30. Harvested cabezon must be at least 16 inches long, lingcod must be at least 24 inches and greenling must be at least 10 inches long. Daily bag limits will be the same as 2003, with the exception that there is no allowed retention of canary or yelloweye rockfish. 

The sport halibut seasons adopted Friday adjust the method of setting dates pre-season to allow for more predictability if or when quota is available in the spring and summer fisheries. The season dates will allow for poor tidal conditions. Exact dates will be set in 2004. The nearshore fishery depth limit will be increased to 40 fathoms and retention of halibut taken in the nearshore fishery will be prohibited outside of the open area. 

The Commission Friday also adopted rules for the commercial Pacific sardine fishery and the at-sea observer program. 



*Upper Deschutes Basin fish management plan adopted

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday adopted amendments to the Deschutes Basin Fish Management Plan that direct management for anadromous runs of summer steelhead, spring chinook, sockeye, Pacific lamprey and bull trout in areas of historic range. 

Restoration of anadromous fish runs is based on the assumption that fish passage will be provided at Pelton and Round Butte dams as a result of requirements associated with federal relicensing of the hydroelectric project. The plan is expected to be in place for 10 years and allows for adaptive management as fish passage efforts move forward. 

The desired result of the basin plan is to restore sustainable populations of anadromous fish in their historic range consistent with Oregon's Native Fish Conservation Policy and the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Construction of dams in the Deschutes Basin reduced the ability of juvenile fish to migrate downstream and led to the loss of anadromous runs in the upper Deschutes Basin. 

The following alternatives were adopted:
·	Summer steelhead: Selectively pass juveniles, eggs and adults with known basin origin above the dams and consider passing any adult once passage is successful and self-sustaining populations are predicted.
·	Spring chinook: Selectively pass juveniles, eggs and adults with known basin origin above the dams and consider passing any adult once fish passage is successful and self-sustaining populations are predicted.
·	Sockeye: Selectively pass eggs and smolts, and adults of known upper basin origin into the Metolius River and Suttle Lake/Link Creek to manage disease risk. Consider passing any adult once fish passage is successful and self-sustaining populations are predicted.
·	Bull trout: Any bull trout will be passed at the dams to reconnect the upper and lower Deschutes populations.
·	Pacific lamprey: Pass adult Pacific lamprey above Pelton-Round Butte dams to re-establish upstream populations.

The Commission adopted the chosen alternatives to minimize disease risk, preserve existing fisheries, and promote restoration of anadromous fish runs. 

*Draft Wolf Management Plan Framework Presented

After recommending deletion of one component, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission gave its preliminary approval of a draft framework to guide the creation of a Wolf Management Plan. Final approval is slated for the Jan. 9 Commission meeting in Salem. 

A Commission-appointed Wolf Advisory Committee met for the first time in November and developed a draft framework, or outline, for the draft plan. Once the framework is finalized, the committee will begin the work of recommending management policies. The second meeting of the committee will occur Jan. 12-13 in LaGrande. 

No wolves are confirmed to live in Oregon at this time, but biologists expect a permanent population to establish itself from the growing Idaho population.

In its discussions about the draft framework, the Commission decided to remove a summary section on ethical issues related to wolf management because no other Oregon species management plan includes this information. The Commission said results of discussions related to ethical issues likely would be addressed in other areas of the plan. 

Friday, the Commission also affirmed its support to the intent of a goal statement adopted in April 2003 for the wolf management plan: "The goal of this management plan is to ensure the long-term survival and conservation of gray wolves as required by Oregon law while minimizing conflicts with humans, primary land uses and other Oregon wildlife."

The draft framework and other documents related to the Wolf Advisory Committee will be posted to the ODFW Web site by early 2004. 


*Bighorn sheep and wild goat management plan receives final OK

A several month public review process came to a close Friday with the final passage of the Bighorn Sheep and Rocky Mountain Goat Management Plan by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. The plan will guide management of the two species for the next 10 years.

Two changes were made to the December draft based on public and Commission review. The Commission added a requirement for ODFW staff to gain Commission approval before implementing any plans for reintroduction of Rocky Mountain goat into new areas that are not adjacent to currently filled habitats. The Commission also strengthened cougar management language for areas where cougar predation may be limiting the success of transplant operations. 

The plan lists the following strategies and priorities for future management, which are dependent on available funding: 
·	Seek available Rocky Mountain bighorn transplant stock from growing in-state herds or out-of-state sources (Medium priority);
·	Manage genetic diversity of California bighorn populations (High priority);
·	Manage California bighorn populations within available habitat capacity (High priority);
·	Cooperate with public land management agencies and private landowners to expand available habitat by controlling junipers, noxious weeds and woody vegetation, and improving water sources (High priority);
·	Evaluate trap and transplant priorities annually for California bighorn based on habitat, genetic diversity, population size and research needs (Medium priority);
·	Maintain historic integrity of the two bighorn sheep subspecies by transplanting Rocky Mountain bighorn north of the Burnt River drainage and east of the John Day River drainage, and transplanting California bighorn in central and southeast Oregon (High priority);
·	Avoid the potential for wild sheep herds to interact with domestic or exotic sheep herds and decrease disease risks (High priority);
·	Attempt to capture any bighorn sheep that has contacted domestic or exotic sheep for disease testing and humane euthanasia to reduce risk to wild herd (High priority);
·	Test for disease during all trap and transplant operations to protect both the wild sheep herds and livestock industry (High priority);
·	Seek law change to allow hunters to obtain one controlled bighorn ram tag and one bighorn ewe tag in a lifetime (Low priority);
·	Support strong enforcement of wildlife laws and court prosecution of offenders to prevent bighorn sheep poaching through cooperative efforts with Oregon State Police (High priority);
·	Improve public access to bighorn sheep herds through a variety of cooperative efforts with private landowners (Medium priority);
·	Provide recreational opportunities for the public to view and hunt bighorn sheep (Medium priority);
·	Evaluate, and if necessary manage, the effects of cougar predation on bighorn sheep herds (Medium priority);
·	Evaluate the potential for wolves to affect bighorn sheep herds (Medium priority);
·	Work with tribal governments to establish herds for tribal management (Medium priority);
·	Maintain and improve genetic diversity of Rocky Mountain goat populations (Medium priority);
·	Educate members of the public who are camping in goat habitat of potential aggressive behavior by goats seeking salt or other minerals (Low priority);
·	Use ground and/or aerial surveys to monitor goat populations (High priority);
·	Cooperative work with other agencies and organizations to manage situations where goats are adversely affecting threatened or endangered plant species (High priority);
·	Use trap and transplant to reduce populations in a specific areas if goat numbers rise above goals (Medium priority);
·	Cooperatively work with land management agencies when planning trap and transplant operations (High priority);
·	Pursue a variety of funding sources to pay for the increasing costs of wild sheep and goat management and explore ways to reduce costs (High priority); and
·	Evaluate biological and social impacts of allowing hunters to hold one Rocky Mountain bighorn tag and one California bighorn tag in a lifetime (Low priority).

*Commission hears options for 2004 Columbia River spring chinook seasons

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday heard the range of options available for setting the 2004 Columbia River spring chinook sport and commercial seasons. Substantial spring chinook fishing opportunity is available this spring. 

After some discussion, Commissioners determined they need more time to analyze data presented, but said they favored options that provide more than 50 percent of the allowable impacts to wild spring chinook populations to the sport fishery.

Columbia River spring chinook seasons are set to protect wild chinook listed under the federal Endangered Species Act while allowing harvest on adipose fin-clipped hatchery chinook. Federal law limits the allowable impact to wild populations from unintended mortalities associated with the non-Indian fisheries to 2.0 percent of the total wild run. 

Options the Commission considered include: 
·	50-50 sharing of impacts between sport and commercial;
·	40 percent sport and 60 percent commercial impact sharing;
·	60 percent sport and 40 percent commercial impact sharing;
·	70 percent sport and 30 percent commercial impact sharing; and
·	Use of a decision matrix used in the 2002 and 2003 fisheries which would likely result in a 65 percent sport and 35 percent commercial sharing of impacts. 

Further discussion on the spring chinook season will occur in January by both the Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife commissions. A final decision will be made Feb. 5, 2004, at the Columbia River Compact hearing in Oregon City. 

*In other action, the Commission:

·	The Commission voted to deny a petition that would have permanently waived the landing requirement;
·	Approved $140,084 in expenditures for five projects under the Access and Habitat Program to improve hunter access and wildlife habitat;
·	Appointed three individuals to second terms on the Access and Habitat Board: Robert Lund of La Grande to represent hunters, Theo "Tik" Moore of Vale to represent landowners, and Ward Armstrong of Salem to represent landowners.


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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002