[ODFW-News] Public meeting Jan. 5 on Columbia River

[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	Friday, December 26, 2003

Columbia River oversize sturgeon fishery to be reviewed at public
meeting Jan. 5


CLACKAMAS - The Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife
will host a public meeting 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, in Clackamas to
discuss recent research results associated with the Columbia River
oversize sturgeon fishery and possible regulation changes.

The meeting will be held in the conference room of Building 16, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife offices, 17330 S.E. Evelyn St.,
Clackamas. 

Biologists from both agencies and Oregon State University will present
recent research results, possible regulations to reduce the fishery, and
a public process for decision-making. 

A catch-and-release boat fishery targeting protected oversize white
sturgeon first developed in 1992 from May to July in the Columbia River
gorge. The fishery increased through 1995 and has since remained fairly
stable. Between 2,800 and 5,300 adult sturgeon are caught and released
annually during the fishery. Oversized sturgeon are longer than 60
inches and some weigh more than 300 pounds.

Current research is focusing on the status of the adult spawning
population and the implications of the catch-and-release fishery
targetting the large fish. White sturgeon do not begin reproducing until
they exceed 60 inches, which takes about 20 years. They can live to be
older than 100 years. Additional regulations may be necessary to reduce
the handle, injury and mortality to oversize sturgeon during the
May-July catch-and-release fishery. 

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will hear an informational
briefing from biologists and take public testimony on this issue at the
Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 meeting in Salem. Both the Oregon and Washington
commissions may consider more restrictive regulations for the fishery at
the February monthly meetings. 

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