ODFW seeks input on coastal salmon seasons

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) will host public meetings in several coastal communities later this month to solicit input on regulations for the 2010 fall chinook salmon and coho seasons in Oregon bays and coastal rivers. Fisheries include sport and commercial chinook fisheries in terminal ocean areas off Tillamook, Elk, and Chetco rivers, sport chinook fisheries in all coastal rivers, and sport wild coho fisheries in select rivers.

The meetings are scheduled for April 26-28 in Gold Beach, North Bend, Newport and Tillamook.

Fishery managers are looking at mostly improved fishing prospects in 2010, thanks to improved forecasts of chinook salmon in many coastal watersheds.

“I think we may see some chinook regulations relaxed over last year,” said Ron Boyce, ODFW Ocean Salmon Columbia River Program manager. “The outlook is better this year than it’s been the past couple of years but we still need to be cautious.”

ODFW will also be seeking input on proposed wild coho fisheries in the Siletz and Coquille rivers and Tenmile Lakes. This will be the second year that wild coho fisheries have been considered in select rivers that meet Endangered Species Act criteria as well as Pacific Fishery Management Council guidelines. “These will be very conservative fisheries that meet all guidelines but nonetheless provide opportunity for recreational fisheries that are a real success story,” said Boyce.

At the upcoming public meetings ODFW staff will present information on the run forecasts and discuss options for chinook and coho fisheries.

Feedback ODFW receives at the upcoming public meetings will be used to develop staff recommendations that will be presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission when it considers these fisheries at its June 4 meeting in Salem.

All meetings are from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The meeting dates and locations are as follows:

Gold Beach
April 26
Curry Showcase Bldg., Curry Co. Fairgrounds, 29392 Ellensburg Ave. (Hwy 101), Gold Beach
Contact: Todd Confer, ODFW, (541) 247-7605

North Bend
April 26
North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Avenue, North Bend
Contact: Mike Gray, ODFW, (541) 888-5515

Newport
April 27
Hallmark Resort Newport, 744 Elizabeth, Newport
Contact: Bob Buckman, ODFW, (541) 265-8306 X224

Tillamook
April 28
Oregon Dept. of Forestry, 5005 Third St., Tillamook
Contact: Chris Knutsen, ODFW, (503) 842-2741

###