Salem, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be hosting public meetings in Gold Beach, North Bend, Newport and Tillamook to solicit input on possible regulations changes to the 2008 fall chinook fishing season for rivers, bays and estuaries along the Oregon Coast.

“The possible regulation changes are prompted by recent and anticipated declines in Oregon coast fall chinook returns,” said Ron Boyce ODFW fisheries biologist.

In April, the Pacific Fishery Management Council closed all commercial salmon fishing in ocean waters from Cape Falcon, south of Manzanita, to the California/Mexico border. At the same time recreational fishing was sharply curtailed.

ODFW is now formulating regulations for commercial and recreational fishing in the inland and nearshore waters under its jurisdiction, Boyce said.

“We are going to do what we can to maintain as many traditional fisheries as we can,” Boyce said. “We’ll be looking at each fishery on a case-by-case basis and trying to offer as many fishing opportunities as possible within our biological constraints.”

At the upcoming meetings, ODFW staff will present run forecasts and proposed regulations changes.

“We’ll also be soliciting public comment on the proposed changes to present to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at its June meeting in Salem,” Boyce said.

The meeting dates and locations are:

Gold Beach
April 28, 7-9 p.m.
Curry County Fairgrounds – Showcase Building
29392 Ellensburg (Hwy 101)

For information contact: Todd Confer (541) 247-7605

North Bend
April 29, 7-9 p.m.
North Bend Library – large conference room
1800 Sherman Ave.

For more information contact: Mike Gray (541) 888-5515

Newport
April 30, 7-9 p.m.
Hatfield Marine Science Center – Library Seminar Room
2040 SE Marine Science Dr.

For more information contact: Bob Buckman (541) 867-0300 ext. 224

Tillamook
May 1, 7-9 p.m.
Oregon Department of Forestry
5005 Third St.

For more information contact: Keith Braun (503) 842-2741 ext. 233

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. 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.

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