Report from halibut mtg, Newport, INFO ADDED

[ron m]

Added info in post further down the list of posts.

Re: the halibut meeting on Tues, Sept 6 in Newport.
This is from memory, I didn’t take notes. There were only 3 private sportfishers there, 3 or 4 voting members of the PFMC, and the rest were charter folks. I’d guess about 25 or so of them, maybe more. The three were Salty Walty, John from RFA, and me. This meeting was to collect ideas and to determine which of the proposals that have either come to ODFW or been developed by them had support. ODFW did not commit to any of the proposals, but Don did say some things that gave the impression of what direction their suggestions will go.

The CR area may (probably) get some increase in their allocation, but Don didn’t quantify how much. I learned that when the allocations were originally set, the CR area didn’t have a dedicated halibut fishery and they said they didn’t need much allocation and wanted only enough for by-catch. Since then they have developed a dedicated fishery (meaning they fish specifically for halibut) and want a larger allocation. The charter folks at the Newport meeting were not for giving greater allocation to the CR area without some restrictions on when they could fish. They say they lose business because folks go to the CR area midweek to fish for halibut instead of going on their boats during the limited open days.

Sounded like WA will NOT transfer any of their northern allocation to southern WA – and for good reason. They caught their allocation in a very shot time, 9 days and then their season was closed.

I believe Don said the sport quota in OR is the same size as the commercial quota. WA does not have a commercial fishery for halibut, all of their quota is sport or for Native Americans.

The group was in favor of the season being open the same days every weekend instead of set open weekends. They did not want ODFW to consider tides, they said that the CG controlled the bar and sometimes the bar was open even with big tides and sometimes closed without big tides. I personally have mixed feelings about this, but did not voice those feelings. I think the charters can often go when most of us private boaters would be kept off the bar, but... I think the consensus among the charters was that Thurs, Fri, Sat was OK, though some of them preferred Fri, Sat, Sun. Again, what the charters want is for average folks to be able to easily understand when the season is open. If they go to an every weekend schedule, then there will surely be an in-season closure and it would be announced just as they do when there is an in-season closure of salmon because the quota is reached.

Some of the summer allocation may be moved to spring since that’s when there is the most demand and the summer allocation hasn’t been reached in recent years because of limited number of days and bad weather. It wasn’t clear to me if the less than 40 fathom allocation would be changed or not, it may be a little smaller next year and the part removed would be moved to the all depth fishery. Quota remaining form the spring was added to the summer quota. If there is 30K lbs of quota remaining, the daily limit may be raised to 2 fish. Don said it was close and they would know next week. Remember they post up to date quota data.

A very likely limiting factor for the halibut fishery is the by-catch of YE and canary (C) rockfish. This year OR is already bumping against the quota for these fish and the halibut fishery is in danger of being closed. There was discussion about how that quota is reached, the lack of knowledge among many fishermen about how to identify the species of an “orange” rockfish. I found the discussion among the charter folks about observers interesting. Some of them questioned how the stats are determined and why the observers. Don said that the observers are partly to determine the size of the YE and C rockfish caught to get an average which interestingly is smaller than the avg. from the previous data of years ago. That helps when determining the amount caught since the amt is determined by using an average weight. Smaller avg weight means more fish can be caught before the quota is reached. Sounds like it’s in “our fishing interest” to have the observers.

The rockpile closure area was designed to reduce YE and C bycatch and will remain next year. It did help reduce the by-catch which helps keep the halibut season open.

The limit of 6 halibut per person was set by the OR legislature and can only be changed by them.

There was discussion about changing the no groundfish retention on all-depth halibut days. Sounded to me like they would probably modify that in some way. Maybe make it no rockfish or make it no groundfish except sablefish, ling, Pacific cod, and other flatfish. But Patty did voice the concern that keeping anything else might increase the bycatch and lead to an early closure regardless of the halibut quota remaining. The second of these alternatives was preferred by the folks at the Astoria meeting and the no rockfish will be WA’s recommendation to the PFMC. Not sure what they will do to the rule for <40 fathoms on days that are not all depth days. They may change it so that only one halibut can be on board a boat IF there is rockfish onboard.

This meeting was interesting, no shouting or red faces, though people were interested and engaged. Relatively cordial, in large part due to Don’s skills and the obvious interest in the well-being of the fishery, the fishermen and the charter operators. The people in attendance recognized that ODFW is not their enemy, but is doing it’s best to set regulations that protect the fishery and let us catch fish. This is my third meeting and I’ve been impressed with ODFW in general and with Don and Patty in particular.

[kamloops]

Thanks Ron

[skein]

Excellent report, Ron, and thanks. (You did all that from memory? You must be a lot younger than me. :grin: )

I have only excuses, albeit good ones, for why I was not there. My feeling is the lack of sportfishermen in attendance would indicate mostly satisfaction with the seasons, limits, and overall fishery. And I don't say that tongue-in-cheek. We've had good, productive seasons on the central coast, and we're doing a better job of limiting our by-catch. The ODFW has done a good job of orchastrating openings and quotas to sustain that fishery. The charters even got to fish through Labor Day. There's not much more a person can ask for - especially since Mother Nature and Neptune are dealing the cards.

Kudos.

Skein

[CATCH AND EAT]

Ron, thanks for the report.

I will add that I attended the CR meeting in Astoria and found it to be darn near a waste of time. The way the agenda was presented made it sound like they (ODFW) had already made up their minds along with the PFMC.

I personally was frustrated that When Don contacted the PFMC about shifting a small allocation to the CR it was immediatly Poo-pooed by PFMC management. I think Don did try but perhaps this could have been more completely addressed at the previous meetings last year as to what the trigger function would actually be to shift some quota up to the CR.

As far as the WDFW spokesman at the meeting in astoria I found him to be quite rude and abrubt and showed a lack of respect toward the audience necessary in a meeting of this importance. Don't know if anyone else but me felt that way but that was my interpretation of it. I do realize that he may seemingly be up against a wall up there but in fact they did leave 3000lbs on the table that could have been shifted to the CR region.

The sportfisher seems to be ignored on this quota issue at the CR. I don't know, maybe I went into this meeting with some higher expectations in problem solving. Suppose I expected to much from the squeeky wheels.

I do want to say that I appreciated Pitch Pocket's grilling of both Don and the WDFW representative. Thoughtful questions that were to the point. Thanks Steve.
I also want to thank those sportfishers and charter captains that attended the meeting. We had a good showing there and I must say that I appreciate Don at least listening to our concerns. BAby steps are painful.

[kamloops]

Bernie


About the only way were going to get more allocation on the C.R. is find out who has the ultimate desision. I have not a clue whom that might be.
I agree with your summation on the Astoria meeting, it seemed we were talking to the wrong folks.
Think they call it government bureaucracy, but I did come away from the meeting with the belief that Don was as frustrated as the rest of our group.

The obvious answer is to get a trailerable kickerboat and drive from port to port.

[CATCH AND EAT]

I have that Tom but I am not real interested in buying property in Newport nor care much to sleep on my little trophy.

[saltwater only]

Thank you

[NR Seahawk Boy]

Great report. Thanks

[Reel Creel]

Thanks

[gonzoray]

Great report. Thanks

[SeaJayOR]

Worthwhile read. Thanks for taking the time to report.
CJ

[black magic]

Ron,
Excellent report.

John from RFA

[Blackjack]

One thing I wish would happen is increasing the daily limit for sport fisherman to two Halibut per day.

With fuel prices going up and having to pick and choose the limited number of days when the ocean is navigable for small sporting vessels, it would be a great advantage to be able to keep two fish per person when the opportunity to fish presents itself.

This is probably just a pipe dream but it sure would be nice.

[ron m]

Yes, it would be nice. I mentioned this during the meeting, but if it happens at all, my guess is it would only be duing the late summer season. I hope they will build in more "triggers' so the limit can be changed to 2 fish per person per day if sufficient quota remains. I doubt the limit will be changed during the spring season since if they go to an every weekend season, the season will be closed when the quota is reached and it won't take a long time to reach it if there is much good weather.
ron m

[Something Good]

Excellent report Ron, thanks for the info.

Kamloops, now you're getting into the spirit. Go where the fish are available. Big Liar's free guided fishing trips at you're service. Bring you're buddy catch and eat to Newport next weekend and we'll go some hali. You know you want to get another hali before they close the season. Let someone else captain the boat so you can sit back relax and catch some fish!

[kamloops]

Thanks Bigliar

Newport is a bit out of my comfort range.
No doubt you guys got it made with those trailerable boats.
Again, thanks for the offer.

[ron m]

Don sent me a response that included some interesting info. It's below

A few comments:
We had less than 30,000 pounds left in the central coast fishery so we stay at a one fish bag.

NMFS wants to wait another week to decide whether to move some pounds north to open the Col R subarea for a reopening yet this Sept..

I will pass on the suggestion on checkers asking about "methods of release to mitigate barotrauma" to their sampling supervisor.

The proposed change in central coast split between Spring and Summer all-depth quota is to go from 75/25 to 80/20. The purpose is to provide more opportunity in May-July and help ensure we take entire quota. We don't see enough effort to catch the present Summer allocation.

Any change from no groundfish except sablefish to no rockfish depends on the Council giving OR more incidental yelloweye rf impacts.
Don Bodenmiller

That ends the comments, we'll know more shortly. Don made the extra effort to give us this info., thank him when you get the opportunity. I expect they will update their halibut website shortly after decisions have been made.
ron m

[djchaser]

Thanks Ron

[KeyWest]

We can make a dent in that 30,000# up here off the CR

[CATCH AND EAT]

My boat has been ready since July 1st to finish off my tag. I certainly hope we get another opportunity to fish. Getting a little late in the year though and seas will become sloppy very soon. Perhaps this is the way PFMC wants to see it.

[OceanBlue]

NMFS wants to wait another week to decide whether to move some pounds north to open the Col R subarea for a reopening yet this Sept..

I don't understand why NMFS would care about 1 week. It's Oregon's allocation, what does it matter to them what we do with it?! :whazzup:

[CATCH AND EAT]

Eight ball corner pocket Jen.

[kamloops]

All I can say is that I have said it all before.


I'll keep my mouth shut OK, I lied.

Don said he tried in August to move quota up, he said the NMFS said they wanted to wait.

Now it's almost October.

It is interesting how the wheels of bureaucracy turn.
When it comes to inseason changes to the C.C.S., these changes seem to happen instantaneously I.E. every weekend
opening, ect,ect,ect,.

But when it comes to moving quotas to the C.R.S.(as outlines in the changes for the 2005 halibut season) , these
inseason changes suddenly become an act of congress.