[ODFW-News] Science team to present biological criteria and limiting factors for coastal coho

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
For more information call Diane Kightlinger (503) 947-6021	
Internet:   	

For Immediate Release	Friday, Nov. 12, 2004

Science team to present biological criteria and limiting factors for
coastal coho

SALEM - State of Oregon scientists will present the biological measures
against which the health of Oregon coastal coho populations will be
gauged at a meeting of the Coastal Coho Project Stakeholder Team next
week. This advisory committee is helping state and federal agencies
shape recovery planning for coastal coho. The Stakeholder Team will meet
in a public session Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 15 and 16, in Roseburg.

The agenda of the Oregon Coastal Coho Project Stakeholder Team includes
an explanation of how the science team developed the biological criteria
and applied them to assess the status of coastal coho. The criteria
include abundance, productivity, persistence and distribution. In
addition, the presentation will cover factors limiting coastal coho
populations and conservation efforts to halt and reverse their decline.

The meeting will be held at the Oregon Department of Fish and
WildlifeDFW Southwest Region Office Conference Room, 4192 North Umpqua
Highway, on Monday, Nov. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday,
Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Public comment will be taken on Nov.
15 at 4:30 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 2:45 p.m.

The State of Oregon and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA
Fisheries) began a collaborative project earlier this year to address
the conservation of coastal coho. As part of that project, a number of
state agencies are contributing to the Coastal Coho Assessment. Their
objectives are to 1) assess actions under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and
Watersheds to conserve and rebuild coastal coho populations; 2) provide
information for NOAA Fisheries' federal Endangered Species Act listing
determination; 3) establish a basis for mechanisms to recognize
landowners' conservation efforts as an offset to potential effects of
management activities; and 4) provide a blueprint for developing a
recovery plan.

The Stakeholder Team is advising both the State of Oregon and NOAA
Fisheries on all aspects of the Coastal Coho Project. Team members
represent natural resource users, local governments, tribes,
conservation organizations, and commercial and recreational fishers.
Almost all members of the Stakeholder Team have close ties to the Oregon
Coast. More information on the Coastal Coho Project and the stakeholder
team can be found at  http://www.oregon-plan.org/cohoproject/index.html.


Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals
requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or
large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations
may call the Information and Education Division at 800-720-6339 Ext.
76002 or 503-947-6002 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

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