For those following the nearshore issue

[OceanBlue]

Thanks to the ODFW Commissioners and Marine Program staff for being responsive to our concerns!

Results of the Feb 7 ODFW Commission meeting:

DATE: February 13, 2003

TO: Interested Citizens

FROM: Patricia Burke, Manager
Marine Resources Program
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

RE: Results of February 7, 2003 Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting
on Nearshore Groundfish Harvest Cap for 2003

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) was directed by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) to review the adequacy of the new lower harvest cap for nearshore groundfish fisheries. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) and the OFWC adopted a one year harvest level equal to that of the year 2000 for the 2003 fishing season. This cap applies to both commercial and recreational fisheries, based on their respective landings in 2000. There are four categories, each of which has a separate harvest cap: 1) black rockfish and blue rockfish; 2) nearshore rockfish (13 species); 3) cabezon; and 4) greenling. This earlier action applied trip limits to black rockfish/blue rockfish and the nearshore rockfish categories. No 2003 trip limits are yet in place for cabezon or greenling.

ODFW staff analyzed the fisheries and projected harvest for this year under the year 2000 harvest caps. Staff also projected harvest rates for a 20% and 50% reduction in the year 2000 harvest caps. All categories of harvest caps were achieved earlier in the year under the 20% and 50% reduction scenarios. Under the year 2000 cap alone, all recreational nearshore fisheries are projected to be under the cap for 2003. Commercial nearshore fisheries are projected to have early harvest attainments for black rockfish /blue rockfish, cabezon and greenling. Greenling has the highest proportional reduction in harvest total from previouis years (over 60% reduction) and is projected to achieve the cap by August, with no change in fishing behavior from 2002.

After review of all conservation measures introduced for 2003 in the nearshore fishery, and the staff analysis of the harvest caps, the OFWC gave staff the following guidance in preparation for final decision-making at their March 21, 2003 commission meeting in Newport:

1.) No consideration of further reductions in the 2000 cap is needed. (Thus a previously noticed public meeting in Mid-March to discuss further reductions in the 2000 cap is not needed and has been cancelled.)

2.) Track the likelihood of a nearshore “derby” fishery taking place and discuss with the public. The OFWC expressed a preference against managing for a derby (fish out and close fishery early vs. extending the season), but wanted staff to obtain feedback from the public including fishermen and processors/buyers. If data indicates a derby is underway prior to adequate public input, the OFWC authorized the staff to put an emergency rule in place to limit harvest until final decisions can be made.

3.) Obtain public feedback on establishing in-season trip limits or season-length driven limits for the commercial nearshore fisheries as appropriate. OFWC will make a decision on in-season management at the March 21 meeting.

4.) OFWC encouraged staff to look at alternative management tools that are based on the life history of the fish, geared towards size of fish, time of spawn, maturation rates etc.

5.) Keep the commercial minimum cabezon size limit at 16”, but review the need for a slot limit for future regulations. (The recreational limit is now 15”, but is projected to be raised to 16” for the 2004 season).

6.) Review gear conflicts with pot gear in the nearshore and bring recommendations to a future OFWC meeting.

7.) Have OFWC attorney investigate methods that would allow immediate action to limit additional new entry/access to the commercial black rockfish / blue rockfish nearshore fishery.

As a result of the OFWC direction, ODFW staff will be conducting a public meeting in Gold Beach on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 . At this meeting we will discuss the current status of the commercial fishery and preferences on setting trip limits and/or season changes for the commercial nearshore fishery.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Mark Saelens or Bill Barss with questions:
541-867-4741.

Thank you for your interest in our nearshore fishery management.

[ 02-24-2003, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Pilar's Mate ]

[tady]

Thanks for taking the time to post this information. I hope they can manage this fishery and not have to close it down as they did on California.

Tady