Rick Hargrave  (503) 947-6020 
Fax: (503) 947-6009    

SALEM, Ore.-The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted harvest rules and management measures for the 2007 sport and commercial groundfish fisheries today, during the first day of a two-day meeting. Friday's session begins at 8 a.m.

The sport and commercial groundfish rules mimic those adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council in November 2006 with some additional modifications unique to the state regulations.

The commission adopted the following 2007 Sport Groundfish and Halibut Rules:

• Marine fish: Established daily bag limit to six (except salmon, lingcod, Pacific halibut, perch, sturgeon, and flatfish). The commission set the daily bag limit less than the federal limit of eight in an effort to slow the harvest rate and avoid premature closure of the 2007 groundfish sport fishery.
  
• Lingcod: Minimum length limit changed from 24 inches to 22 inches.
• Flatfish: Established a separate bag limit of 25 fish that now includes sole, flounder, Pacific sandab, but not Pacific halibut.
• Groundfish: Prohibited keeping any groundfish year-around in the Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area.
• Sport groundfish closure seaward of 40 fathoms: Cannot fish for groundfish in waters deeper than 240 feet (40 fathoms) between Apr. 1 and Sept. 30.
• Halibut: No change in regulations, but flexibility was added to pre-season and in-season quota transfers to allow more uniform seasons coast wide.
• Sport and commercial groundfish harvest limits are similar to those in the 2006 regulations with a slight decrease in harvest levels for the black rockfish. Also, the commission removed vermillion and tiger rockfish from the generic "other nearshore rockfish" category in the sport and commercial fisheries.

The commission also voted to approve the recommendations of the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Board for $669,000 in funding for 29 projects around the state to enhance or restore fisheries or fish habitat.

"Approval to move forward on the R&E projects will directly benefit recreational anglers," said Laura Tesler, Restoration and Enhancement Program Coordinator. Revenue for the Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Program comes from a surcharge on fishing licenses.

The commission also heard testimony regarding the sardine fishery and waiver of 2006 landing requirements for the annual renewal of permits based on "unusual market conditions." By unanimous vote, the commission chose to waive the 2006 requirements, to reevaluate the feasibility of an industry-wide waiver based on "unusual market conditions," and directed ODFW staff to work with the sardine fishing industry to propose a minimum number of permits for the fishery.

Today's session ended with the commission denying a petition to begin rulemaking to amend rules for crab pot limit appeals.

The commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director's Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.