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Next Oregon hearing, January 9, 2004 ... letters still needed!
<Details near the end of the thread, added 11/11>
Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Agreement – Action NEEDED!
The Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife are developing a new 3 year agreement (2004 – 2006) for the allocation of spring chinook salmon in the Columbia River. This process will determine how much of the non-tribal catch goes to sport fishers and how much goes to the commercials. The Oregon Commissioners need to hear from us that we want a fair allocation and certainty on the length of the season!
This agreement is critical to Oregon’s economy in several ways. The economic value of sport fishing is undeniable. Sport caught fish bring the most money to our economy. People plan vacations around this fishery so it’s important that it not be cut off do to unexpected closures. This agreement is especially important because from November 2005 through March 2006, Oregon will draw thousands of tourists for the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial. If those tourists have the opportunity to catch a salmon, it will have a huge long-term impact on our region. If the fish are not available due to the allocation formula, we will have failed to leverage a critical selling point for our state and failed to realize valuable tourism based revenue.
Everyone who fishes the Columbia for spring chinook needs to write or call to voice their opinion about the Columbia River Spring Chinook sport fishery. Historically, 300 commercial fishermen have given more input than 30,000 Columbia River sport fishers. Let’s not let that happen again!
When you send your letter, copy it to your legislator and the governor. Do not bash the commercial fishers or use foul language. This needs to be a positive affirmation of the value of this fishery to you. Give examples of why this fishery matters to you, not why it shouldn’t matter to someone else. Share the experiences you’ve had with parents, siblings or children in pursuing these fish. Tell about your friends that may have traveled from other parts of the country just to catch a Columbia River spring chinook salmon.
Here’s a draft letter you’re welcome to borrow, followed by addresses and fax numbers of the people we need to contact.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
October __, 2003
RE: 2004 – 2006 Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Agreement
Dear ________________________;
I am a sport fisher concerned about the upcoming 3 year agreement for the allocation of Spring Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River. Please do everything in your power to ensure that sport fishers are given a fair opportunity to pursue these prized fish, seven days a week, without risk of premature closure due to the impacts of other less discriminate forms of fishing, through the month of April. Sport fishers should be given 1.2% of the 2% allowable impact below McNary dam, to ensure that the economic benefit of the sport season will be fully realized. Sport fishers have suffered abbreviated seasons in the past due to commercial over-fishing and high release mortality rates. Please help ensure that this doesn’t happen again by providing an equitable allocation and a fair season! This is particularly critical in light of the huge influx of tourists expected for the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial, visitors who will return if they have the opportunity to experience our world-class sport fishery.
Let’s get Oregon’s economy going again! Let’s start by making the right choices for Oregonians by providing a full, fair Columbia River spring sport chinook season!
Yours truly,
Your Name
Your Address
Your State Senate District (if you know it, find it from the link below)
Your State Representative District (if you know it, find it from the link below)
Your phone number
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ADDRESS YOUR LETTER TO:
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission 3406 Cherry Avenue, NE
Salem, Oregon 97303
FAX: (503) 947-6202
Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
FAX: (503) 378-6827
Your State Legislators
Find Your Legislator
[ 12-14-2003, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Pete ]
<Details near the end of the thread, added 11/11>
Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Agreement – Action NEEDED!
The Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife are developing a new 3 year agreement (2004 – 2006) for the allocation of spring chinook salmon in the Columbia River. This process will determine how much of the non-tribal catch goes to sport fishers and how much goes to the commercials. The Oregon Commissioners need to hear from us that we want a fair allocation and certainty on the length of the season!
This agreement is critical to Oregon’s economy in several ways. The economic value of sport fishing is undeniable. Sport caught fish bring the most money to our economy. People plan vacations around this fishery so it’s important that it not be cut off do to unexpected closures. This agreement is especially important because from November 2005 through March 2006, Oregon will draw thousands of tourists for the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial. If those tourists have the opportunity to catch a salmon, it will have a huge long-term impact on our region. If the fish are not available due to the allocation formula, we will have failed to leverage a critical selling point for our state and failed to realize valuable tourism based revenue.
Everyone who fishes the Columbia for spring chinook needs to write or call to voice their opinion about the Columbia River Spring Chinook sport fishery. Historically, 300 commercial fishermen have given more input than 30,000 Columbia River sport fishers. Let’s not let that happen again!
When you send your letter, copy it to your legislator and the governor. Do not bash the commercial fishers or use foul language. This needs to be a positive affirmation of the value of this fishery to you. Give examples of why this fishery matters to you, not why it shouldn’t matter to someone else. Share the experiences you’ve had with parents, siblings or children in pursuing these fish. Tell about your friends that may have traveled from other parts of the country just to catch a Columbia River spring chinook salmon.
Here’s a draft letter you’re welcome to borrow, followed by addresses and fax numbers of the people we need to contact.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
October __, 2003
RE: 2004 – 2006 Columbia River Spring Chinook Allocation Agreement
Dear ________________________;
I am a sport fisher concerned about the upcoming 3 year agreement for the allocation of Spring Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River. Please do everything in your power to ensure that sport fishers are given a fair opportunity to pursue these prized fish, seven days a week, without risk of premature closure due to the impacts of other less discriminate forms of fishing, through the month of April. Sport fishers should be given 1.2% of the 2% allowable impact below McNary dam, to ensure that the economic benefit of the sport season will be fully realized. Sport fishers have suffered abbreviated seasons in the past due to commercial over-fishing and high release mortality rates. Please help ensure that this doesn’t happen again by providing an equitable allocation and a fair season! This is particularly critical in light of the huge influx of tourists expected for the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial, visitors who will return if they have the opportunity to experience our world-class sport fishery.
Let’s get Oregon’s economy going again! Let’s start by making the right choices for Oregonians by providing a full, fair Columbia River spring sport chinook season!
Yours truly,
Your Name
Your Address
Your State Senate District (if you know it, find it from the link below)
Your State Representative District (if you know it, find it from the link below)
Your phone number
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ADDRESS YOUR LETTER TO:
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission 3406 Cherry Avenue, NE
Salem, Oregon 97303
FAX: (503) 947-6202
Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
FAX: (503) 378-6827
Your State Legislators
Find Your Legislator
[ 12-14-2003, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Pete ]
