SALEM, Ore.–The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission met today by conference call to discuss and get an update on negotiation efforts between Oregon and Washington regarding the 2008 Columbia River spring chinook management objectives. 

As a result of today’s meeting, the Commission endorsed the following management objectives that will be forwarded to the Joint State Columbia River Compact:

Mainstem Columbia River above the Willamette River

• March 16 through April 30 from I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam
• Open six-days-per week, closed Tuesdays (dates of closure to be decided by Joint State Columbia River Compact)
• One fish daily limit
• Catch expectation of 15,800 chinook

Mainstem Columbia River below the Willamette River

• March 24 through April 4 from I-5 Bridge to Buoy 10
• Open seven-days-per week
• One fish daily limit
• Catch expectation of 3,000 chinook

Willamette River and Willamette Tributaries

• Open seven-days-per week
• One fish daily limit
• Catch expectation of 5,500 chinook

Commercial Fishery – Mainstem Columbia River

• Commercial fishing is restricted to the area from the I-5 Bridge to Beacon Rock
• Catch expectation of 5,200 chinook

Commercial Select Area Fisheries (SAFE)

• Open from mid-February through mid-June
• Catch expectation of 3,700 chinook

Tomorrow, the 2008 spring chinook seasons for sport and commercial fisheries will be set at the joint state hearing of Washington and Oregon fishery managers at 10 a.m., Feb. 15 at the Water Resource Education Center located at 4600 SE Columbia Way in Vancouver, Wash.

Last week, the commission heard more than six hours of testimony by sport and commercial fishers about the 2008 Columbia River spring chinook fishery.

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