Fishers invited to help shape 2011 sport halibut season

NEWPORT, Ore. – Sport anglers who target Pacific halibut have an opportunity to help shape the 2011 halibut season by participating in a meeting in Newport or comment by phone or email.

“This meeting is an opportunity for anglers to have a say in what the 2011 Pacific halibut season looks like off Oregon,” said Lynn Mattes, sport halibut project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. “At this meeting we will discuss the sport fishery structure, such as days open and season timing, for the three sub-areas off Oregon (Columbia River, Central Coast and South Coast).  We will review allocation issues and the overall Catch Sharing Plan for Pacific halibut fisheries off the Pacific northwest”.

The meeting will be 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the Holiday Inn Express (south of the bridge), 135 SE 32nd, Newport.

“We will take the comments from these meetings to the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s September meeting,” Mattes said. “There will be opportunities in October for the public to comment on any proposed changes to the Catch Sharing Plan developed by the council, based on this public input, before final adoption at the November council meeting.”

Those who cannot attend the meeting can still comment by calling or emailing Mattes (Lynn.Mattes@state.or.us) or Gway Kirchner (Gway.R.Kirchner@state.or.us) at 541-867-4741 before Wednesday, Aug. 18.

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