[ODFW-News] Ocean salmon season north of Cape Falcon expands to seven days a week

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
	
For Immediate Release	Friday, July 18, 2003

Ocean salmon season north of Cape Falcon expands
to seven days a week

PORTLAND - State and federal fishery managers today decided to expand the ocean salmon season to seven days a week starting Friday, July 25, from Cape Falcon near Manzanita north to Leadbetter Point in Washington. 

Managers took today's action because fishing effort has been light and the estimated catch is well  below the season  quota. As of July 13, biologists report that catch rates have been good with an average of 1.7 fish per angler but estimate that only 532 chinook and 9,923 coho have been caught. The allowed season harvest is 12,700 chinook and 112,500 coho. 

Currently, the season is open Sunday through Thursday. All other fishery regulations and catch limits remain in effect. The daily limit is two salmon per day, only one of which may be a chinook. All retained coho must have a healed adipose fin-clip. The minimum size is 26 for chinook is 16 inches for coho.

Anglers are reminded that the area from Cape Falcon north to Tillamook Head closes to salmon angling Friday, Aug. 1. 

The popular "Buoy 10" salmon fishery at the mouth of the Columbia opens Friday, Aug. 1, with a two salmon daily catch limit, only one of which may be a chinook. Beginning Aug. 16, the daily catch limit increases to three salmon per day, only one of which may be a chinook. 

Additional information on ocean salmon fishing regulations may be obtained in the 2003 Oregon Ocean Salmon and Halibut Sport Fishing Regulations. The yellow pamphlet is available at license agents and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office. Information also is posted to the ODFW Web site at: http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/odfw/regs/salsport.html.
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