ODFW to hold lottery for two brine shrimp permits

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will award two commercial brine shrimp permits March 15, 2010.

Brine shrimp are harvested only from Lake Abert in southeast Oregon.  Only adults can be harvested; the harvest of immature shrimp (cysts) is not allowed. In order to retain a permit, the holder must harvest at least 5,000 pounds of brine shrimp in Oregon during the prior year.  

“The commercial brine shrimp fishery in Oregon is limited to three permits,” said DeAnna Erickson, license services manager for ODFW.  “If the number of permits falls below three we hold a lottery to bring the number back up.” 

To apply for the permit lottery the applicant must be at least 18 years old and cannot currently hold a permit.  Only one application per individual will be accepted.  Applications must be received in the ODFW Headquarters office in Salem no later than March 10, 2010.

Applications are available from the Salem office only, and applications will be mailed upon request. There is a $102 fee to apply. The fee will go towards the permit cost if the applicant is successful. Unsuccessful applicant fees are refunded.

For more information on applying for a permit please contact ODFW's licensing services, 3406 Cherry Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97303 or call (503) 947-6101 or (800) 720-6339 ext. 76112.

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