• ODFW hosted an online public meeting on Tuesday, July 26, 6pm-7:30pm, to hear ideas and discuss proposed changes for the 2021 Catch Sharing Plan (CSP). This is the opportunity for the public to initiate changes to the Pacific halibut sport fishery. News release

In addition to halibut, information about the 2021 sport bottomfish (groundfish) fishery was also presented.

• Halibut presentation (pdf 1.6MB)
• Bottomfish presentation (pdf 1.3MB)
  

Those who could not attend a meeting were invited to comment by contacting lynn.mattes@odfw.oregon.gov or christian.t.heath@odfw.oregon.gov. Phone (541) 867-4741.

(In the past, this meeting or series of meetings was held in August and in person.)

What's the Catch Sharing Plan? The CSP is the framework by which Paciific halibut are managed during the year and includes: Allocation (between fisheries and between geographical subareas within fisheries) Seasons (opening and closing dates, open days of the week) Bag limits Length limits Regulation changes allowed inseason Read the 2020 CSP (pdf 0.2MB)

 

• After reviewing public input, ODFW prepares a report for the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
  
  
  • ODFW report of proposed changes - October 2020 (pdf)
    
    
• The Council meets online, September 8-18, 2020, and considers proposals for changes to the Catch Sharing Plan. Council home page
  
  
• The Council approves some, none or all proposals (including any that are developed at the Council meeting) for additional public comment.

  Results relevant to Oregon. "The Council adopted for public review the following proposed changes to the 2020 Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) and annual fishing regulations in Washington, Oregon, and California recreational fisheries." (www.pcouncil.org/documents/2020/09/september-2020-decision-summary-document.pdf/)
  
  1. In the Columbia River subarea, allow the retention of yellowtail, widow, canary, redstriped, greenstriped, slivergray, chilipepper, bocaccio, and blue/deacon rockfishes, Pacific cod, flatfish species, and lingcod north of the Washington – Oregon border, on all-depth halibut days.
  
  3. Coastwide in Oregon allow all-depth halibut fishing and longleader gear fishing on the same trip.
  

• ODFW solicits additional public comment on specific proposals approved by the Council for additional consideration.
  
  
  

• The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) accepts public requests for 2021 regulatory changes (e.g., season length) or management actions for review at its annual meeting. A form and more information are on the IPHC regulations proposal page.
  
  

• The Council adopts final changes for the 2021 Catch Sharing Plan at its meeting, November 9-10, 12-13 and 16-20, 2020.
  
  
  • ODFW report of proposed changes - November 2020 (pdf) (3 pages)
    
    
  • The Council adopted final changes, including the use of longleader gear on the same trip during all-depth halibut fishing in Oregon.     
    
    

• IPHC holds an interim meeting, November 18--19, 2020. All sessions are open to the public and are webcast. IPHC interim meeting page
  
  

• The 2021 catch limit is set by IPHC at its annual meeting, January 25-29, 2021. IPHC annual meeting page
  
  
  • For area 2A (Oregon, California and Washington), the catch limit approved by IPHC for 2020 - 1,500,000 pounds - is scheduled to remain in place through 2022.
    
    

• ODFW solicits public comment about open dates for the all-depth sport halibut fishery in the central coast subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.).
  
  
  

• ODFW submits a report to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service with recommended dates for the all-depth sport halibut fishery in the central coast subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.).
  
  
  

• The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service approve regulations, including open dates for the central coast subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.) all-depth sport halibut fishery.