Sport anglers asked to help shape 2011 halibut season

NEWPORT, Ore. – Sport anglers who target Pacific halibut have an opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the 2011 halibut season in person, by phone or by email.

“The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted three proposed changes for anglers to provide input,” said Lynn Mattes, halibut project leader for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Proposals under consideration are:

• adjusting the Central Oregon spring fishery from the current three-day openers to two days, dependant on the number of fixed days scheduled;
• adjusting the nearshore fishery from seven days per week to something less than seven days per week, depending on the quota;
• changing the allocation percentages between the Central Oregon spring all-depth, summer all-depth and nearshore fisheries.  

ODFW will hold a public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Holiday Inn Express, 135 SE 32nd St., Newport (South Beach) from 7 to 9 p.m.  “We will take the comments from the anglers to the Pacific Fishery Management Council at their meeting in November where they will adopt recommendations for changes to the Catch-Sharing Plan for 2011,” Mattes said.

For those unable to attend the public meeting, comments can also be provided through Friday, Oct. 8, via phone or e-mail: please contact Mattes or Patrick Mirick at (541)-867-4741; or via e-mail at lynn.mattes@state.or.us or patrick.p.mirick@state.or.us .

###