NEWPORT – Sport anglers who target Pacific halibut have an opportunity to comment on several proposed changes to the 2009 halibut season by participating at meetings scheduled for Oct. 7 and 8 in Newport and Astoria.

“The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted four proposed changes for anglers to provide input,” said Don Bodenmiller, sport halibut project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under consideration is allowing the retention of lingcod incidentally hooked when fishing for halibut. Another proposal is to change the days open for the spring fishery out of Columbia River ports from seven days per week to three (Thurs-Sat.). The four proposals can be viewed at: www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/management/process_by_year/2009/PFMCproposed2009_hbt.pdf

The first meeting will occur in Newport on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Embarcadero Resort, 1000 SE Bay Blvd., Newport.  A second meeting will occur in Astoria on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 204 West Marine Drive, Astoria.

“We will take the comments from these meetings to the Pacific Fishery Management Council at their meeting in November when they annually decide on changes to the Catch Sharing Plan,” Bodenmiller said.

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 at (541)-867-4741 or Don.G.Bodenmiller@state.or.us

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