NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will discuss the 2008 Pacific halibut sport season in a public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Embarcadero Hotel, 1000 SE Bay Blvd., Newport.

Don Bodenmiller, halibut project leader for ODFW, will have just returned from the International Pacific Halibut Commission annual meeting held Jan. 15-18, 2008 in Portland, where the 2008 allowable catch is set. He will present quotas and possible open season dates for Oregon’s all-depth sport halibut fishery between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain.

ODFW will hear comments regarding the number and dates of fixed open days during the spring (May to July) all-depth season between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, and back-up dates for the spring fishery in case quota remains after the fixed dates.

If you have questions or want to provide comments without attending the meeting, please contact Bodenmiller at tel. 541-867-4741.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.