NEWPORT, Ore. – Sport anglers who target Pacific halibut have an opportunity to help shape the 2009 halibut season by participating in meetings scheduled for Aug. 27 and 28 in  Astoria and Newport.

“These meetings are an opportunity for anglers to provide input on what the 2009 Pacific halibut season off Oregon should look like,” said Don Bodenmiller, sport halibut project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “At the meetings we will discuss the sport fishery structure, such as bag limits and season timing, for the three subareas off Oregon (Columbia River, Central Coast and South Coast).  We also will review allocation issues and the Catch Sharing Plan for Pacific halibut fisheries off the Pacific northwest”.

The first meeting will occur in Astoria on Wednesday, Aug. 27.  The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Holiday Inn Express, 204 West Marine Drive.  A second meeting will occur in Newport on Thursday, Aug. 28. This meeting will also start at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Embarcadero Resort, 1000 SE Bay Blvd.

“We will take the comments from these meetings to the Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in September,” Bodenmiller said. “There will be opportunities in October for the public to comment on any proposed changes to the Catch Sharing Plan developed by the council before it is finally adopted in November.”

The public is invited to attend both meetings. If you have questions or want to provide comments without attending the meeting, please contact Don Bodenmiller or Gway Kirchner at 541-867-4741.

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