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The commercial nearshore fishery first developed as an open access fishery in the early 1990s and transitioned to a state limited-entry permit system in 2004. The commercial nearshore fleet is composed of small vessels, averaging 25 ft., that target shallow (< 180 ft.) nearshore rocky reefs. Vessels use mostly hook & line jig or bottom longline fishing gear. A variety of groundfish species are harvested and managed in this fishery including black rockfish, blue rockfish, deacon rockfish and 21 other "nearshore species". These species are managed in six state management groups: Black Rockfish, Blue and Deacon Rockfish, Other Nearshore Rockfish, Greenling, Cabezon, and Other Nearshore Species.
Two separate permit types exist for Oregon's limited-entry commercial nearshore fishery. These two permits allow access to different harvest allocations. The first permit type, the Black and Blue Rockfish permit, allows for the harvest of Black Rockfish and Blue and Deacon Rockfish in amounts up to the bimonthly limits set by the Commission, while allowing for only incidental harvest of all other Nearshore Fish species. The second permit type, the Black and Blue Rockfish permit with a Nearshore Endorsement, allows for harvest up to the bimonthly limits specified by the Commission for Black Rockfish, Blue and Deacon Rockfish, Other Nearshore Rockfish, Greenling, and Cabezon. The Nearshore Endorsement is also required to catch the federal monthly landing limit of tiger and vermilion rockfishes, both of which are on Oregon's nearshore species list.
| Commercial nearshore fishery general regulations |
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The table below summarizes the initial Bi-monthly Vessel Limits for Nearshore Fish, Black Rockfish, and Blue and Deacon Rockfish set for 2024. See the action notices for any recent changes and current regulations. Per-trip limits for the Black Rockfish Management Areas are suspended for 2024, and permitted vessels may land up to the current bi-monthly period limit on a single fishing trip.
For species under federal regulations, such as lingcod, see federal regulations. |
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Industry Action Notices (pdfs) |
Action Notice, August 30, 2024
Action Notice, June 28, 2024
Action Notice, December 19, 2023
Action Notice, October 27, 2023
Action Notice, June 30, 2023
Action Notice, December 21, 2022
Nearshore Commercial Fishery Regulations - Action Notices - Archives |
| Public Meeting Information (pdfs) |
Public meeting presentation, September 10 & 12, 2024
Public Meeting notice, August 28, 2024
Public meeting presentation, September 13 & 14, 2023
Public meeting notice, August 30, 2023
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| Permit |
Black Rockfish and Blue and Deacon Rockfish |
Nearshore Fish |
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Black and Blue Rockfish Permit WITH a Nearshore Endorsement |
Black Rockfish:
- January – February: 1,800 pounds
- March – April: 2,100 pounds
- May – June: 2,400 pounds
- July – August: 2,700 pounds
- September – October: 2,700 pounds
- November – December: 2,700 pounds
Blue and Deacon Rockfish: 1,500 pounds per 2-month period |
Cabezon : 2,500 pounds per 2-month period
Greenling: 2,000 pounds per 2-month period
Other Nearshore Rockfish: 650 pounds per 2-month period
Quillback rockfish: retention and landing prohibited for all non-trawl gear |
Black and Blue Rockfish Permit WITHOUT a Nearshore Endorsement |
Black Rockfish:
- January – February: 1,800 pounds
- March – April: 2,100 pounds
- May – June: 2,400 pounds
- July – August: 2,700 pounds
- September – October: 2,700 pounds
- November – December: 2,700 pounds
Blue and Deacon Rockfish: 1,500 pounds per 2-month period |
15 pounds per day for other Nearshore Fish combined not to exceed bi-monthly vessel limits for permits with a Nearshore Endorsement.
Quillback rockfish: retention and landing prohibited for all non-trawl gear |
Open access Vessel without a Black and Blue Rockfish Permit (WITH or WITHOUT a Nearshore Endorsement) |
Up to 15 pounds of Black Rockfish, Blue and Deacon Rockfish or Nearshore Fish combined per day; must be less than or equal to 25% of the landing for each trip; cannot exceed the bi-monthly vessel limits set for vessels with a Black and Blue Rockfish Permit. |
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LE groundfish trawl |
Up to 1,000 pounds per year
Must be less than or equal to 25% of landing for each trip; cannot exceed bi-monthly vessel limits set for Black and Blue Rockfish permits. |
15 pounds per day
Must be less than or equal to 25% of landing for each trip; cannot exceed bi-monthly vessel limits set for Nearshore Endorsed permits. |
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Salmon troll |
100 pounds per day
All landed dead; cannot exceed the bi-monthly vessel limits set for Black and Blue Rockfish permits.
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15 pounds per day
Must be less than or equal to 25% of landing for each trip; cannot exceed the bi-monthly vessel limits set for Nearshore Endorsed permits. |
| Species |
Minimum size
commercial |
| China RF |
12 in. |
| Copper RF |
12 in. |
| Grass RF |
12 in. |
| Quillback RF |
12 in. |
| Greenling |
12 in. |
| Cabezon |
16 in. |
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| Rockfish conservation areas off Oregon |
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| Additional information |
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