PORTLAND – The Fish and Wildlife Commission was briefed today on ODFW’s plans to recruit and retain new anglers over the next 25 years.

The 25 Year Angling Enhancement Plan highlights some of the strategies, actions and pilot projects ODFW will take in order to enhance recreational fishing opportunities in Oregon over the next 25 years.

The plan was mandated by a budget note during the 2007 Legislative session and will be considered for adoption by the Commission at its Jan. 9 meeting in Salem.

“The strategies and actions highlighted in the plan range from recruiting new anglers through better education and marketing efforts, to enhancing current fishing opportunities,” Mary Buckman, ODFW angling plan coordinator.  “The plan also recommends improvements and increases in public access and hatchery trout production.”

The Commission also approved the selection of three positions on Oregon’s Access and Habitat Board.

Steve McClelland of Cove, Ore., will become the new chair of the seven-member panel that reviews and recommends to the Commission projects to improve wildlife habitat and public hunting access throughout the state.

Thomas Alkire of Portland and James Morrell of Sisters, will become Hunting Representatives on the board. The appointments are effective Jan. 1, 2009.

The commission approved funding for two A&H projects -- the Rogue Meadows Enhancement in Jackson County and the Blue Mountains Elk Initiative in Northeast Oregon.

Created by the Oregon Legislature in 1993, the A&H Program is funded primarily by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses. Grants are awarded to individual and corporate landowners, conservation organizations, and others to cooperatively fund wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects in the state.

The commission approved the use of a lottery to issue permits authorizing the limited take of peregrine falcons by master falconers for falconry purposes.

Finally the commission conducted its annual review of the administrative rules governing the developmental fisheries program, which governs underutilized fisheries, and was briefed on an amended process adopting harvest rules for sardine, groundfish and nearshore fisheries.

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