ODFW asks anglers to comment on proposed 2012 halibut, bottomfish seasons

September 19, 2011

NEWPORT, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a series of public meetings in September to get angler input on several options for the 2012 sport Pacific halibut and bottomfish seasons.

The meetings will be in Astoria, Newport, Brookings and Coos Bay from Sept. 26 to Sept. 29. Attendees will have a chance to comment on several alternatives proposed by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council for the 2012 halibut fisheries. In addition, ODFW staff will present some possible changes to the 2012 bottom fish season structure related to cabezon harvest and to efforts to reduce impacts to yelloweye rockfish.

According the Lynn Mattes, ODFW sport groundfish program leader, the department’s Sport Fishing Advisory Committee has proposed some changes that could reduce early closures to the cabezon season and have fewer restrictions to bottomfish fishing during the second half of the season. ODFW staff is soliciting public comment on these ideas before it recommends the 2012 bottomfish fishing regulations to the Fish and Wildlife Commission in December.

Dates and locations for the meeting are:

Astoria—Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 at 7 pm at the Holiday Inn Express, 204 West Marine Drive

Newport--Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express (south of the bridge), 135 SE 32nd.

Brookings—Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., at the Best Western Beach Front Inn, 16008 Boat Basin Drive.

Coos Bay—Thursday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel, 1313 N Bayshore Drive, Coos Bay

Those who cannot attend a meeting can still comment by calling or e-mailing Lynn Mattes (Lynn.Mattes@state.or.us) or Patrick Mirick (Patrick.p.mirick@state.or.us) at 541-867-4741 before Sept. 30. Presentation materials for the both halibut and bottomfish discussions will be posted on the ODFW Marine Resources Website (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/ ) no later than Sept. 26.

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Contact:
Lynn Mattes or Patrick Mirick (541) 867-4741