[ODFW-News] RESENDING: Crabbers weigh-in on pot limitations; ocean salmon seasons adopted

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Friday, April 14, 2006
 
Crabbers weigh-in on pot limitations; ocean salmon seasons adopted
 
SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today heard testimony
from 65 commercial crabbers on proposals to limit the number of pots
their boats may fish in a season.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff presented options developed
in cooperation with the commercial crab industry, whose members voiced
concerns about derby-style behavior during the winter opening of the
season and an over-capitalization on the resource.

Both proposals work to limit the Oregon commercial crab fishery to
approximately 150,000 pots in the ocean, require the use of buoy tags,
establish a maximum pot size of 13 cubic feet, establish an appeals
board, require a single pot limit per vessel, prohibit gear leasing and
require a review of the program after three years. 
The Commission will take final action on the issue at its June 9 meeting
in Salem. 

Other highlights from today's meeting included:

OCEAN SALMON: ODFW staff presented an overview of proposed ocean sport
and commercial salmon seasons, approved at the recent Pacific Fishery
Management Council meeting in Sacramento, CA. The proposed seasons await
approval by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, but the Oregon Commission
today approved fishing seasons in state waters that correspond to
regulations in federal waters. Details are available on ODFW's Web site,
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/updatesnew.html
<http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/updatesnew.html> 

COMMERCIAL SARDINE FISHERY: The Commission approved staff proposals to
better regulate Oregon's new limited entry commercial sardine fishery.
In an effort to ensure that permit holders are actively working their
permits, sardine fishermen will be required to record 10 landings
annually, with at least five metric tons in each landing. Waivers will
be established to accommodate injury, illness, market conditions and
other circumstances beyond the fishermen's control.  

The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in
the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. The next regular OFWC
meeting is May 11-12 in Burns.
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