Sunday, June 10, 2012

Oregon F&W Commission Sets 2012 Coho, Fall Chinook Seasons


Commission sets 2012 coastal coho, fall chinook salmon seasons
June 8, 2012
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission
today set the upcoming
coho and fall chinook salmon seasons for coastal rivers and
streams.
The Commission meeting began yesterday with consideration
of a number of wildlife issues, and continued today with
Commissioners taking up a number of fish-related issues.
For the fourth year in a row, returns of coho salmon are strong
enough for staff to propose opening 10 coastal rivers and
one lake to the harvest of wild coho.
Under the regulations adopted today, anglers will be
able to keep one wild coho in the Nehalem, Tillamook,
Nestucca, Siletz, Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Umpqua, Coos and
Coquille rivers and Tenmile lakes.
The season on most rivers begins on Sept. 15 and will continue through November,
or until river-specific quotas have been met. All wild coho fisheries are also subject to
NOAA approval.
The continued wild coho fisheries mark an important milestone in the recovery of coho
salmonpopulations along the Oregon Coast, said Chris Kern, ODFW ocean salmon resources
manager.
“Since coastal coho were listed as threatened in 1998, an enormous amount of work has been
done to restore these populations,” he said. “Today we’re seeing the results of record returns
in recent years in recreational fisheries that allow the harvest of a small number of those fish.
“As a result of restoration efforts by Oregonians and sustainable fish management, Oregon
Coast coho are well on their way to recovery,” he added.
The Commission also approved the seasons for fall chinook, which have been rebounding since
a significant downturn in 2008. For 2012, bag limits and area closures will return to permanent
regulations for most South Coast rivers. Returns to North Coast rivers are improving but some
continue to lag, so while the Commission did restore the historic two chinook daily bag limit on
these rivers, the more recent 10 fish seasonal limit will continue.
A complete description of the 2012 coastal salmon seasons, including area closures and wild
coho quotas, can be found on the ODFW website.
The Commission approved $767,010 in grants for 12 enhancement and 8 restoration projects
through the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program. Among the projects receiving funding
are the addition of ADA fishing piers at St. Louis Ponds near Woodburn and enhancement of
access at Vernonia Pond.
The Commission also approved a major re-organization of the commercial fishery regulations
aimed at providing clarity and consistency to make them easier for user groups to navigate.
The Commission briefly took up trapping regulations, carrying over the agenda item from
Thursday’s meeting.
Today, the Commission made clear that new limits on trapping adopted yesterday
apply only to state and federal land. The rules prohibit setting traps or snares on land within
300 feet of campgrounds, picnic areas and trailhead and within 50 feet of public trails.
The restriction applies only to trails that are marked and maintained by state or federal agencies
and are designated on agency maps. The rules were revised in response to a petition filed by the
Humane Society of the United States, Predator Defense, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club,
Audubon Society of Portland and Cascadia Wildlands.
Finally, Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division Senior Trooper Adam Turnbo of
McMinnville was awarded the state’s top conservation enforcement honor when he was
recognized with the Shikar Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year. Shikar-Safari
representative Lynn Loacker presented the award.
In making the award, Loaker cited Turnbo’s innovative use of social media to identify
and monitor the actions of wildlife violators.
The Shikar-Safari Club International, founded in 1952, is a group of international hunters
who formed first as a social group and then became motivated to make a meaningful difference
in wildlife conservation.
The agenda item regarding the sale of treaty caught Columbia River steelhead and walleye
was withdrawn and will be considered at the August Commission meeting.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state and
usually meets monthly. The next meeting is Aug. 3 at ODFW Headquarters in Salem.

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