SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will award two commercial brine shrimp permits April 6, 2009 at ODFW headquarters in Salem.

“The commercial brine shrimp fishery in Oregon is limited to three permits,” said DeAnna Erickson, license services manager for ODFW.  “If the number of permits falls below three we holds a lottery to bring the number back up. Currently there are two permits available.”

Brine shrimp are harvested from Lake Abert in southeast Oregon.  Only adults can be harvested; the harvest of cysts is not allowed. In order to retain a permit, the holder must harvest at least 5,000 pounds of brine shrimp in Oregon during the prior year.  

To apply for the permit lottery the applicant must be at least 18 years old and cannot currently hold a permit. Only one application per individual will be accepted. Applications must be received in the Salem office or postmarked no later than March 31, 2009.

Applications are available from the Salem office only, and applications will be mailed upon request. There is a $75 fee to apply. The fee will go toward the permit cost if the applicant is successful. Unsuccessful applicant fees are refunded.

For more information on applying for a permit please contact ODFW's licensing services, 3406 Cherry Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97303 or call (503) 947-6101 or (800) 720-6339 ext. 76112.

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