Pete
12-13-2002, 06:27 PM
For Immediate Release Friday, December 13, 2002
Options for 2003 Sport Sturgeon Season Outlined; Decision Due in January
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission heard Friday the specifics of five options to govern sport sturgeon season in the Columbia River for 2003-2005. A final decision is expected January at a meeting of the Columbia River Compact.
Each of the options were created to meet three objectives: 1) Minimize the need for in-season action, 2) Balance the catch between the estuary and non-estuary (Longview to Bonneville Dam) fisheries, and 3) Maintain fishery monitoring and management capabilities.
Fishery research indicates that the lower Columbia River legal size white sturgeon population experienced an annual 4 percent decline from 1996 to 2001 due to an overestimate of fish abundance levels and an unforeseen drop in recruitment to the population. As a result, the allowed harvest guideline was set too high and the allowed sport harvest for 2003 must drop from last year's 40,000 fish total harvest to 32,000.
Commission members said they were favoring option two or three, based on public testimony. However, the Commission delegated final negotiation and rule-making authority to the ODFW director.
Option 2:
- Shifts season accounting from the calendar year to Oct. 1-Sept. 30.
- Retention prohibited Sundays and Mondays in October through mid July.
- Allows a 9.5-month continuous retention season.
- Projected catch split 51 percent (16,400 fish) to estuary harvest and 49 percent (15,600) to non-estuary, which does not maintain the fishery sharing average of the 1990s.
- Implements a block closure during popular salmon season.
- Increases sampling costs and management requirements.
Option 3:
- Shifts season accounting from the calendar year to Oct. 1-Sept. 30.
- Retention prohibited Sunday, Mondays and Tuesdays in October through early August.
- Allows a 10-month continuous retention season.
- Projected catch split 56 percent (17,800 fish) to estuary harvest and 44 percent (14,200) to non-estuary, which approximates the fishery sharing average of the 1990s.
- Implements a block closure during popular salmon fishing period.
- Increases sampling costs and management requirements.
Options for 2003 Sport Sturgeon Season Outlined; Decision Due in January
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission heard Friday the specifics of five options to govern sport sturgeon season in the Columbia River for 2003-2005. A final decision is expected January at a meeting of the Columbia River Compact.
Each of the options were created to meet three objectives: 1) Minimize the need for in-season action, 2) Balance the catch between the estuary and non-estuary (Longview to Bonneville Dam) fisheries, and 3) Maintain fishery monitoring and management capabilities.
Fishery research indicates that the lower Columbia River legal size white sturgeon population experienced an annual 4 percent decline from 1996 to 2001 due to an overestimate of fish abundance levels and an unforeseen drop in recruitment to the population. As a result, the allowed harvest guideline was set too high and the allowed sport harvest for 2003 must drop from last year's 40,000 fish total harvest to 32,000.
Commission members said they were favoring option two or three, based on public testimony. However, the Commission delegated final negotiation and rule-making authority to the ODFW director.
Option 2:
- Shifts season accounting from the calendar year to Oct. 1-Sept. 30.
- Retention prohibited Sundays and Mondays in October through mid July.
- Allows a 9.5-month continuous retention season.
- Projected catch split 51 percent (16,400 fish) to estuary harvest and 49 percent (15,600) to non-estuary, which does not maintain the fishery sharing average of the 1990s.
- Implements a block closure during popular salmon season.
- Increases sampling costs and management requirements.
Option 3:
- Shifts season accounting from the calendar year to Oct. 1-Sept. 30.
- Retention prohibited Sunday, Mondays and Tuesdays in October through early August.
- Allows a 10-month continuous retention season.
- Projected catch split 56 percent (17,800 fish) to estuary harvest and 44 percent (14,200) to non-estuary, which approximates the fishery sharing average of the 1990s.
- Implements a block closure during popular salmon fishing period.
- Increases sampling costs and management requirements.