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The commercial nearshore fishery first developed as an open access fishery in the early 1990's 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 and Blue Rockfishes 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 and Blue Rockfishes, 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 2-month cumulative trip limits for Nearshore Fish, Black Rockfish, and Blue Rockfish set for 2022. See the Action Notices for any recent changes and current regulations. Per-trip limits for the Black Rockfish Management Area are suspended for 2022, 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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Commercial nearshore fishery action notices (pdfs) |
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| Permit |
Black Rockfish and blue Rockfish |
Nearshore fish |
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Black Rockfish and Blue Rockfish Permit WITH a Nearshore Endorsement |
Black Rockfish:
- January – February: 1,800 pounds
- March – April: 1,800 pounds
- May – June: 2,400 pounds
- July – August: 2,400 pounds
- September – October: 1,800 pounds
- November – December: 200 pounds
Blue Rockfish: 1,500 pounds per 2-month period |
Cabezon : 1,500 pounds per 2-month period
Greenling: 1,000 pounds per 2-month period
Other Nearshore Rockfish: 350 pounds per 2-month period
Quillback rockfish: retention and landing prohibited for all non-trawl gear |
Black-Blue Rockfish Permit WITHOUT Nearshore Endorsement |
Black Rockfish:
- January – February: 1,800 pounds
- March – April: 1,800 pounds
- May – June: 2,400 pounds
- July – August: 2,400 pounds
- September – October: 1,800 pounds
- November – December: 200 pounds
Blue Rockfish: 1,500 pounds per 2-month period |
15 pounds per day for other Nearshore Fish combined not to exceed cumulative trip limits for permits with a Nearshore Endorsement.
Quillback rockfish: retention and landing prohibited for all non-trawl gear |
Open access
Vessel without a Black-Blue Rockfish Permit (WITH or WITHOUT a Nearshore Endorsement) |
Up to 15 pounds of Black Rockfish, Blue Rockfish or Nearshore fish combined per day; must be less than or equal to 25% of the landing for each trip; cannot exceed the 2-month cumulative trip limits set for vessels with a Black-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 2-month cumulative trip 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 2-month cumulative trip limits set for Nearshore Endorsed permits. |
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Salmon troll |
100 pounds per day
All landed dead; cannot exceed the 2-month cumulative trip 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 2-month cumulative trip 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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