Update - TUNA! Hearing - Action Required!

[OceanBlue]

See recent posts below for updated information. The commission will be deciding the 2004 sport fishing regulations. Your help is needed on August 8, 2003.

This just in....

The PFMC recently adopted their draft plan for HMS (Highly Migratory Species).

They left recreational regulations up to the individual states.

Here's what ODFW proposes as a change to the current regulations (2003). The changes, if adopted, will be instated in 2004.

__________________________________________________ ________________________
Definitions:

Offshore Pelagic Species - All species of tuna and mackerel (family Scombridae), Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), all species of billfish (family Istiophoridae), all species of the family of jacks (family Carangidae), opah (Lampris guttatus), dorado (Coryphaena hippurus), Pacific pomfret (Brama japonica), and all species of sharks.

Chum - Material not attached to fishing line and hook that is deposited in the water for the purpose of attracting fish. Chum allowed for offshore pelagic species must be whole fish (live fish allowed) or cut up fish of the following species or species groups: herring, anchovy, or smelt.

Bag Limits:

The offshore pelagic species bag limit is 25 fish per angler per daily landing. Note that white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) are prohibited species, and must be immediately released unharmed.

Special Regulations for the Offshore Pelagic Species Fishery:

The exceptions to Oregon's general angling regulations listed below apply only if the following conditions are met: Vessel is outside of state waters (0-3 miles of shore), and no species other than offshore pelagic species may be retained or on board the vessel at any time during which chumming or multiple lines per angler are being used.

1. There is no limit to the number of fishing lines or lures that may be fished by an angler for offshore pelagic species.

2. Chumming is allowed for offshore pelagic species using chum as defined above.

3. Any species of fish other than offshore pelagic species must be immediately released if any of the fishing methods described in this section are being used.
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Of course there will be an opportunity to present testimony when this proposal comes before the commission. Until that time, we are invited to submit any comments on the proposal to Eric Schindler, Supervising Biologist, Marine Resources Program, ODFW
either by e-mail: eric.schindler@oregonstate.edu or by U.S. mail:

Eric Schindler
Supervising Biologist
Marine Resources Program
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
2040 SE Marine Science Dr.
Newport, OR 97365

What thinks you all?

[ 08-01-2003, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: OceanBlue ]

SHEZAMMMM!

How did this happen :smile: Do some IFISH mwmbers deserve a big "ATA BOY and ATA GIRL? :smile:

They do need to put sardines into the chum list.

[Mojo]

Keta,
Sounds like ODFW has listened to the folks that utilize this resource. Nice work to all who contributed!

[Mark Mc]

As you can see, this is pretty much status quo. The only thing here that would have impacted any of my trips is the deal about no non-pelagic species on board while you are tuna fishing with more than one rod/line per person. We had two days when we got salmon first, and then caught tuna. Under these regs, we would need to go with one line apiece in that situation, or just plan on going for salmon after chasing tuna. Keta, good catch on the sardines.

I would be inclined to write Mr. Schindler in support of this, unless someone here raises a valid concern that we haven't thought of.

Thanks Jen for posting!

[ 11-08-2002, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: Mark Mc ]

[OceanBlue]

Hey Mark,

I don't read it that way. If you're fishing salmon, under the salmon rules, you're okay if you then go on to fish tuna under HMS rules.

The way I read this is that if you catch something other than allowed HMS while fishing more than one line/angler, or chumming, you can't keep it.

Am I missing something?

[corrirod]

Just FYI, these regulation proposals were established using the feedback of this board and were formally written by a member of this board who has asked to remain anonymous.

I personally want to thank him for his hard work and diligence in helping us get the State regulations to accomodate our tuna fishing methods. Your efforts are appreciated!

I would ask you all to please write a letter voicing your approval, as well as any concerns, to the address above to show our support of these regulations.

I think that the OSP will read it like Mark does, it will be hard to enforce either way.
What about"fixed lines" (hand lines)

:smile: A big THANK YOU to the ODF&G lurker too! :smile:

[ 11-08-2002, 10:21 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[Uglygreen]

Bravo! - I am both susprised and impressed.

PM - it says "on board" - you would have to take your salmon / bottomfish back to dock.

"no species other than offshore pelagic species may be retained or on board the vessel at any time during which chumming or multiple lines per angler are being used."

One suggestion: Add sardenes and pacific mackrel to the chum list.

Other Suggestion: Add specific launguage regarding handlines (fixed lines on boat).

Other than those 2 things, sounds great!

Thanks,

UG

[Deepslayer]

Thanks for posting this Jen! :smile: This is fantastic! :shocked: Thank you whomever did this! At first I thought the ODFW must have been reading this board. Now we will all be legal in '04. I noticed that the proposal just says fishing lines, not fishing poles. I would assume that this means hand lines will be okay. Thanks Again!

[OceanBlue]

Thanks UG, for pointing that out. Must have been a blond moment.

I have been seeing some email feedback as well. When I get permission to post, I'll do so.

Keep the feedback going.

This is awesome... If someone knows of some sort of QUALITY or SERVICE recognition that the gov. can award to an agency or division of an agency, I'd sure like to hear about it. I think the marine resources folks ROCK! As do the commissioners. They should be recognized for their efforts and their consideration!!!

[Chum King]

Well, I guess I can't remain anonymous forever.

Your comments are being incorporated into the draft (see below). Please keep them coming. Sardines were already included in the initial draft i.e. in the herring family, but have been spelled out now to avoid any confusion.

For reference, on the handline issue, we (ODFW Marine Resources) are also planning to propose a slight language change to the reference on handlines on page 11 of the sportfishing regulations that would clear up the "gray area", and handlines that are affixed to the boat would be legal. On discussion, we felt that the intent of the handline rule was only to prohibit the use of gurdies or mechanical devices for retrieving the line and not to prohibit the handline being "cleated" or otherwise attached to the boat.

As a point of clarification, under the proposed rules you could not fish multiple lines or chum if you had any species other than those listed as "offshore pelagic species" on the boat.

Again keep your input coming.

Thanks!
Eric Schindler, ODFW

Preliminary Revised Draft Proposal for:
Oregon Recreational Offshore Pelagic and Highly Migratory Species Regulations

Definitions:
Offshore Pelagic Species – All species of tuna and mackerel (family Scombridae), Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), all species of billfish (family Istiophoridae), all species of the family of jacks (family Carangidae), opah (Lampris guttatus), dorado (Coryphaena hippurus), Pacific pomfret (Brama japonica), and all species of sharks.

Chum – Material not attached to fishing line and hook that is deposited in the water for the purpose of attracting fish. Chum allowed for offshore pelagic species must be whole squid or fish (live bait allowed) or cut up squid or fish of the following species or species groups: herrings and sardines, Pacific mackerel, anchovies, or smelts.

Bag Limits:
The offshore pelagic species bag limit is 25 fish per angler per daily landing. Note that white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) are prohibited species, and must be immediately released unharmed.

Special Regulations for the Offshore Pelagic Species Fishery:
The exceptions to Oregon’s general angling regulations listed below apply only if the following conditions are met. Vessel is outside of state waters (0-3 miles of shore), and no species other than offshore pelagic species may be retained or on board the vessel at any time during which chumming or multiple lines per angler are being used.

1.There is no limit to the number of fishing lines or lures that may be fished by an angler for offshore pelagic species.
2.Chumming is allowed for offshore pelagic species using chum as defined above.
3.Any species of fish other than offshore pelagic species must be immediately released if any of the fishing methods described in this section are being used.

Chum King,
:smile: THANK YOU

[Uglygreen]

I had that one figured... Corrirod fishes w/Chumking, who always has regulatory input, and isn't a highschool biology teacher, (biologist was my second guess), and chumking won the fish ID contest... I considered posting a guess, but thought better of it, Thanks Chumking.

Another Question: cleaning or dressing fish at sea? any possibility of that happening?

UG

[Deepslayer]

Thanks Chum King. :grin: As far as cleaning or dressing fish at sea, in some jurisdictions, the only thing you ahve to do is leave at least one square inch of skin attached to each fillet, for species identification. That might work for your tuna draft proposal. :whazzup:

[8knots]

This proposal sounds great! Thanks for the work on behalf of us tuna enthusiast. I also, would be interested in regulations allowing cleaning of tuna on the way in. With my slow boat, a 40 to 50 mile trip is a 5 to 6 hour run. I have to keep my buddies busy with something or they will nap, just like they do on the way out in the dark!

[Pilar]

Whooo hoooo !

Thanks Eric for your hard work. You couldn't resist telling us who you really were. No worries for you though because you, even when anonymous, post with a certain propriety that is pretty cool if you ask me.

So ... uh .. Chum King have you ever dragged a tuna to the boat? Sounds like you have your choice of boats next season. I have to warn you though this is some pretty fun stuff.

[fishwhenican]

Thank You Chum-King!! It will be nice to have a lot less gray area in the regulations.

[Chum King]

Just a reminder that this is still a draft, and will have a lot of hurdles to get over before it would be adopted. It is important that those of you who are in favor (or against) this set of regulations to testify at an ODFW regulation hearing over the coming year. I don't believe the dates for those hearings have been set yet.

With respect to filleting at sea: Our work group did discuss this, but we were in agreement that we could not support filleting at sea. Concerns involve enforcement of existing regulations and the ability to collect biological information on the catch. We are aware that some other states allow certain species to be filleted at sea. If some of you feel strongly about this, you are welcome to write up a proposal and submit it to ODFW, and it would be considered through the same regulation setting process.

Thanks for your positive comments, and I will be sure to pass all of them on to our work group.

[Uglygreen]

Hey Chumking,

Just read your email - thanks, I will respond when I have a little more time. Also I would appriciate any comments you might hae on the "master angler licence" idea over in the general fishing forum.

UG

[Booja 1]

Many thx again Chumking for all your hard work on this issue..

Filleting's a no go huh?? Oh well most of the time it's a little bumpy for that but on the few greasy calm days getting rid of the head and guts would sure save some cooler room...

Again,,,MUCHAS GRACIAS............Les

[dock rat]

Good job Ernie!

[Jennie@ifish]

Added by Chum King:

It is currently listed as the third item on the agenda for the August 8 meeting (as forecast from the July Commission meeting). It will be included under the item titled "2004 Oregon Sportfishing Regulations". The Commission meeting schedule is available online at Commission Schedule


You should check the agenda about a week prior to the meeting to confirm the final agenda.

[Aqua-Holic]

Thankyou all (Chum King) for your efforts. I assume cleaning/dressing includes removing the guts only?

[Gregotis98]

Awesome! Thanks King, after reading your post about the tuna landing numbers for the year I was dreading that they might make things tougher on us, but things look good.

[WP]

Fantastic Job!!!!!
Thanks to you Eric, and the others who commit so much time an effort to manage a complex arena. I appreciate the efforts you have made to improve regulations and (maybe more importantly) to educate and communicate with us fisherpeople! I know it is hard and I know that your calm reasoning and objective style have broken through emotional outbursts on more than one occassion! My heart felt thanks and I second Pilar's statement that a trip on boat of choice, at any time, for any species, would be in order and a priviledge for the skipper of the boat! Hope to meet you soon and enjoy a day!
WP [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[crabbait]

Thank you, Chum King! That is awesome work. Are there other dates when comments will be taken? Aug 8 happens to be the first Halibut day after the new boat arrives.

I, too, would like to be able to leave the guts and head at sea, rest of fish intact including the skin and fins on. This would allow me to pack the fish with ice and would save space in the cooler. My main goal would be to arrive in port with the fish in as good a condition as possible (firm and cold).

Thanks again. Just the way it is is a major improvement!

[OceanBlue]

Woooohoooo! Color me there! Aug 8 Commission meeting in Astoria. Aug 9 Ifishstock at Hedlund Acres. That is SOOOO perfect!

[Mark Mc]

Crabbait & others.... a few folks seem to think that it is currently against the regulations to gut & gill fish at sea. The current regs, from "General Regulations, harvest methods and restrictions", under "gamefish" (which includes salmon) states:

"Unlawful to possess in the field game fish dressed or mutilated so that size, species, or fin clip can not be determined.;

and under "non-gamefish" (which include rockfish), states:

"unlawful to mutilate any marine fish so that size or species cannot be determined prior to landing or to transport mutilated fish across state waters."

It is obviously legal to gut & gill salmon at sea. There is no commercial salmon troller who delivers whole (undressed) fish at the dock; the buyers would not buy them. Now even though it does not specifically mention tuna, the same rules must apply since the obvious concern is the ability to identify the species, and measure it (if it has a length restriction). Gutting a tuna does not take away from this need. This regulation has nothing to do with putting fish material back into the sea. It's almost laughable that someone would think it could be "bad for the environment" to put fish guts back in the ocean.

We have been gutting albacore at sea for years. Now, I can not recall an employee of any state agency ever looking at one of my gutted tuna, but I have absolutely no worries about being out of compliance on this one. This from one who is very sensitive to following regs.

BTW, the head tuna scientist from seafood extension at UC Davis (the ones who put out publications for commercial fishers, sport fishers, and fish buyers) highly recommends removing guts in order to more quickly chill tuna.

Cheers.....Mark

Tuna are easy to gut and gill.

[Chum King]

Crabbait,

August 8 is the day of the Commission hearing. There would not be any other date that I am aware of where you could provide testimony. However, you could make your opinions known to the Commission by either writing to them directly, or by having another attendee at the Commission hearing present and read your comments to the Commission.

As for fish cleaning at sea, you can gut and gill fish. Heads must remain attached to all fish. Important to note that by the letter of the law it is unlawful to "dispose of dead animal (fish)carcasses, or parts thereof, in Oregon waters" (page 12 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, general restriction #15). Keep in mind that "Oregon waters" include ocean waters out to three miles from shore.

That is really all I can tell you on this subject at this time.

[Phil Layer]

Thanks, Chumking, for your hard work. It is appreciated.

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

Hey Chum King, as a charter boat operator, I have a concern about the chum issue for the Albies. Is chewed and partially digested bacon and eggs legal? :grin:

Captain Mike

[Chum King]

ATC,

As albacore are primarily a visual predator and not one that targets scent you would generally be considered within the legal bounds.

However, with sharks which could be attracted by partially processed items such as: Bacon, eggs, pancakes, sausage, donuts, coffee, french toast, yogurt, cantalope, granola, waffles, grapefruit, ad nauseum you could be considered in violation of the chumming rules were you to continue to angle in the immediate area of deposition of the previously described items which could "loosely" be described as a "chum slick".

Note the previous comments are made entirely with tongue in cheek and my breakfast still where it belongs.

However, I should make mention that the recently described use of popcorn to attract albacore to the surface does meet the definition of chumming, and is illegal both under the current regulations and the proposal that will be going to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission in August.

[corrirod]

I'll be at the meeting to try and get popcorn added to the list of chum items! :tongue: And perhaps "Goldfish" if they seem in an "approval" kind of mood. :tongue:

[Deepslayer]

Hey Chum thanks for the information about popcorn! :grin: I had never heard that one!
,Ed

[OceanBlue]

Gee, popcorn is pretty light weight. With a moderate breeze, it could accidently be lifted from it's container and fly overboard. Better keep the lids on! :shocked: :grin:

See you there Corrirod!

[HOGGEMIN]

I will be down in Ocean Park that week it is 40 minutes north of Astoria if any one needs a place to stay there are 5 beds and lots of floor space. A fire pit in the backyard so we could have a great campfire roast some dogs, bbq some oysters the night before email me if interested.

[OceanBlue]

Hoggemin - very generous offer.

For those of you planning on attending, here is some more info:

The agenda has been set. Meeting starts at 8am and I'm guessing our agenda item will come up sometime after lunch. My guess is after 2pm, but I'd advise being there by 1:00ish.

Here's what I know about the agenda:

8am
Director's Report:
Regional Manager's Report
Temporary Rules
Commissioner Items:
Revenue and Expenditure Report
2004 Commission Site/Date Selection
Executive Session (this is long and mysterious)
June & July Minutes (exhibit a)
2003-2004 upland game birds regulations (exhibit b) RULEMAKING
Native Fish C onservation policy div. 007 review (exhibit c) RULEMAKING
2004 Oregon Sportfishing Regulations (exhibit d) RULEMAKING - weigh in now or forever hold your piece, er, um peace!

and on and on... Exhibit H is a groundfish information item. I believe they will discuss their findings from the July 29, 30, 31st meetings. Could be interesting, too

[ 08-04-2003, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[Miss B Haven]

Ummmm... am I just blind or [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] ??? Where is this dang meeting? Appears to be in Astoria but I don't see where at. Just might be able to make this one, how do I get there? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[Sea Jypzee]

As much as I'd love to be able to attend, I'll be working and in meetings. :depressed:

[OceanBlue]

Hey guys - who all is planning on attending?

[Chum King]

The meeting is at the Astoria Red Lion which is in the West End Mooring Basin. The ODFW news release on the commission hearing is as follows:
For Immediate Release Thursday, July 31, 2003

Waterfowl seasons and 2004 angling rules to be decided Aug. 8

ASTORIA - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will adopt the 2003-04 game bird and waterfowl seasons and the 2004 angling regulations at its meeting Friday, Aug. 8, at the Astoria Red Lion Inn.

With reports of improved breeding conditions during the past year for North American ducks, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will recommend the Commission adopt a liberal 107-day hunting season for most species of ducks and geese. Wet weather in south central Canada led to good duck production.

A 107-day duck season, the maximum allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would be consistent with the number of hunting days allowed in recent years.

In northwest Oregon, ODFW is proposing to make cutbacks in check stations in the Northwest Permit Goose Zone, but all private lands are expected to stay open to goose hunting during the allowed season. ODFW also is considering reducing the number of open hunt days during the week from four to three. These cutbacks are the result of the loss of federal funds to assist with goose depredation issues in the region. Check stations are required to determine the harvest of the rare dusky Canada goose.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the rule-making body for ODFW. The seven-member panel meets monthly to adopt rules and set policy for ODFW to implement. The Commission meeting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Red Lion Inn, 400 Industry Street, Astoria.
The night before the meeting, the Commission will host an informal reception beginning at 7 p.m. at the same location.

The Commission also will vote on angling regulations for 2004. Proposals were drafted to meet critical conservation needs, correct inadvertent mistakes or restrictions, or implement basin management plans. They include:
· Reducing the statewide annual sturgeon bag limit from 10 to five fish per year to meet conservation goals;
· Redefining the definition of adipose fin clip to "a clipped adipose fin and having a healed scar at the location of the clipped fin" to allow anglers to legally harvest hatchery fish with partial fin clips and to aid with enforcement;
· Allowing standard fishing practices for tuna, including chumming, to be used in Oregon waters;
· Establishing selective fisheries for harvest of fin-marked hatchery spring chinook salmon from lower Columbia River tributaries and select area fisheries;
· Eliminating the one-per-day and five-per-year bag limits for fall chinook in the Rogue River because the population has recovered;
· Reducing the allowed harvest of wild spring chinook salmon in the Rogue River because populations have declined;
· Prohibiting angling after 7 p.m. at the "Hatchery Hole" along the Rogue River to reduce illegal fishing activites;
· Requiring all retained trout be adipose fin-clipped in Hills Creek Reservoir in the Willamette Zone to protect wild bull trout;
· Clarifying Willamette Zone trout regulations;
· Prohibiting sockeye salmon harvest in the Columbia River;
· Reducing the daily bag limit for surf perch from 25 to 15 per day to conserve the species; and
· Limiting the number of crabs that may be held in a holding pot for 24 hours in bays and estuaries to no more than two daily limits, or 24 crabs.

In addition to the bird hunting and angling regulations, the Commission will:
· Hear a briefing on regional activities;
· Select dates and sites for 2004 Commission meetings;
· Hold an executive session to consult with legal counsel on records not open for public inspection pursuant to ORS 192.660(1);
· Hear a report on progress to amend administrative rules to ensure consistency with the Native Fish Conservation Policy adopted in 2002;
· Approve Restoration and Enhancement Program funding requests and appoint board members;
· Adopt regulations for bass and walleye tournaments;
· Adopt final orders on contested cases related to developmental fisheries permits; and
· Hear a briefing on 2004 groundfish harvest levels and management.

Public testimony will be taken on each agenda item with the exception of the executive session and contested case hearing. Sign-up sheets will be provided at the meeting. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director's Office at (503) 872-5272.

Persons seeking to testify for up to five minutes on other issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements at least 24 hours in advance. "Unscheduled testimony" must be arranged by calling Mike Lueck, ODFW Director's Office, at (503) 872-5272. Unscheduled testimony occurs around 1 p.m. and is limited to about six speakers.

[OceanBlue]

Chumking! Thanks for the update! I could swear I saw that it was at Duncan Law. Whew! See you there!

[Chum King]

On Friday morning, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the Offshore Pelagic Species regulation proposal as submitted along with the rest of staff proposed angling rule changes for 2004. The offshore pelagic species proposal included allowances for using multiple lines per angler and the use of specific types of chum when fishing for albacore and several other offshore pelagic species such as billfish and sharks.

Keep in mind that the regulations authorizing the use of chum and multiple lines do not go into effect until 2004.