Ocean Closure? Yes or No

[Rusty]

I've been a liitle out the loop for the past few days. Heard a rumor that the Ocean is closing for Salmon at Midnight, September 2nd.

I would appreciate an update and a proof source so that I do not make any bad calls. (Like ocean fishing on Sept. 3rd!!)

Thanks,

Rusty

[fishing is life]

sounds the King of the fishery management said things are staus quo for now. Bill Monroe talked to him and is plugged in well.

[MPT]

ODFW Action Notice

Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Newport , Oregon August 21, 2002

The National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Fishery Management Council, states of Washington and Oregon, and ocean troll salmon fishers have discussed the status of the ocean commercial troll chinook fishery off northern Oregon (north of Cape Falcon) and off Washington that is scheduled to reopen August 22. The following action was taken:

ACTION TAKEN: Season will be open for all species (closed to chum salmon retention north of Cape Alava, and closed to coho salmon retention north of Leadbetter Point) from August 22 through 28 (7 days) or quota with a 250 chinook per open period landing and possession limit. Vessels must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure in this fishery. Vessels planning to land catch from this fishery to the South of Cape Falcon are required to notify the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife before leaving the area by calling 541/867-0300 ext 252. Season will be closed August 29 through 30, and may reopen on August 31 if enough chinook remain on the quota. A conference call is scheduled for August 30 to evaluate landings, determine open days, landing limits, and other potential management measures for the next possible opening. Gear restrictions in this area include: US/Canada Border to Leadbetter Point trollers must use 6 inch or longer plugs. For the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon the 4 spread per wire limitation does not apply while the selective coho salmon fishery remains open.

RATIONALE: During the most recent opening from August 9 through 18, approximately 4,900 chinook and 560 coho were landed. This leaves 4,870 chinook and 3,740 coho remaining on the quotas. There is substantial concern regarding any potential overage in this fishery, and the risk of closing the recreational fishery were an overage to occur. By reducing the number of days for the next open period and reducing the landing limit, the fishery is unlikely to exceed the quota within this next open period.

NOTE: Questions should be directed to Eric Schindler at 541/867-0300 x252.

[MPT]

ODFW Action Notice

Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Newport , Oregon August 29, 2002

The National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Fishery Management Council, states of Washington and Oregon , and ocean recreational salmon fishers discussed by conference call today the status of the ocean recreational salmon fishery in ocean waters between the US/Canada border and Cape Falcon . The following action was taken:

ACTION TAKEN: The recreational ocean salmon fishery between Leadbetter Point , Washington and Cape Falcon , Oregon ( Columbia River ocean area) will close to all salmon fishing effective 11:59 PM Monday September 2, 2002 . Note that this fishery is already closed to chinook retention, and the area from Cape Falcon to Tillamook Head is also currently closed to salmon fishing.

RATIONALE: Through Sunday August 25, the estimated catch in the Columbia River ocean area totaled 46,210 coho (83% of the quota). Estimated landings through Thursday August 29 already were over 50,000 total coho, and with the expected catches over the coming Labor Day weekend, the total landings of coho are expected to exceed the area’s coho quota by more than 5,000 fish. However, coho remained on the Westport area quota, and by transferring a portion of the remaining quota from Westport , managers felt that they could keep the fishery open through Monday night. The second major issue involved where to come up with enough chinook hooking mortality impacts to allow the fishery to continue. Representatives from the ports of Neah Bay and LaPush agreed to the increased risk to their remaining fisheries to allow the Columbia ocean area fishery to continue through the weekend.

NOTES: Fishery managers will reassess the catches through September 2 early next week, and consider reopening the fishery if enough chinook and/or coho impacts remain to allow more fishing days on a conference call on Wednesday afternoon.

[Chum King]

The sport salmon season in the ocean off the Columbia River (Leadbetter Pt. to Tillamook Head) stays open in the ocean for coho until Monday night. The ocean is already closed to retention of chinook, unless you go south of Cape Falcon i.e. Garibaldi, Newport, etc.

The Buoy 10 fishery is currently open for two salmon but not more than one chinook.

So enjoy the weekend, and catch some fish. :smile: