06-20-2007, 03:10 PM
NEWPORT, Ore-The sport halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast will reopen June 21 through 23.
"High wind and big swell kept many boats in port during several of the all-depth halibut days this past spring resulting in sufficient quota to reopen the fishery," said Don Bodenmiller, sport halibut project leader for ODFW.
The spring all-depth season for the central coast area - from Cape Falcon (30 miles south of the Columbia River) to Humbug Mountain (south of Port Orford) - has been open since May 10 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It could have closed as early as June 9 if the 170,242-pound quota was taken.
The fishery will be open on June 21-23 and continue on one or more of the following days: July 5-7 and 19-21 until the quota is met. "These dates were set pre-season in case quota remained after June 9, and we still have over 65,000 pounds remaining," Bodenmiller said.
Open dates will be announced on the National Marine Fisheries Service hotline (1-800-662-9825) and posted on the ODFW Marine Resources Program Web site at: www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/
The central coast all-depth fishery summer season opens Aug. 3 and is scheduled to be open every other Friday-Sunday until the combined spring and summer season all-depth quota of 226,989 pounds is taken or Oct. 28, whichever comes first. The possibility of a second fish to the bag limit could occur after the Labor Day weekend if the catch is low, Bodenmiller said.
The high-relief area of Stonewall Bank is closed to halibut fishing to reduce incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish. Both species are considered over-fished and must be released immediately. The closed area is defined by latitude and longitude waypoints, which are available on the Marine Resources Program Web site.
The daily bag limit for Pacific halibut is one fish and there is no minimum length. The possession limit for Pacific halibut is one daily limit at sea and three daily limits on land. The annual limit per angler is six fish.
Sport anglers are reminded possession of groundfish species is not allowed north of Humbug Mountain when a Pacific halibut is aboard their vessel during all-depth Pacific halibut dates. The exception is sablefish (black cod), which may be retained with halibut between Humbug Mountain and Cape Falcon. Other non-groundfish species, such as tuna and salmon during authorized seasons, may be possessed with halibut on open all-depth Pacific halibut days.
More details on regulations can be found at: www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/fishing/seasonmaps/seasonmap_current.asp or in the 2007 Oregon Sport Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and Other Marine Species booklet. General regulations can be found in the 2007 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.
"High wind and big swell kept many boats in port during several of the all-depth halibut days this past spring resulting in sufficient quota to reopen the fishery," said Don Bodenmiller, sport halibut project leader for ODFW.
The spring all-depth season for the central coast area - from Cape Falcon (30 miles south of the Columbia River) to Humbug Mountain (south of Port Orford) - has been open since May 10 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. It could have closed as early as June 9 if the 170,242-pound quota was taken.
The fishery will be open on June 21-23 and continue on one or more of the following days: July 5-7 and 19-21 until the quota is met. "These dates were set pre-season in case quota remained after June 9, and we still have over 65,000 pounds remaining," Bodenmiller said.
Open dates will be announced on the National Marine Fisheries Service hotline (1-800-662-9825) and posted on the ODFW Marine Resources Program Web site at: www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/
The central coast all-depth fishery summer season opens Aug. 3 and is scheduled to be open every other Friday-Sunday until the combined spring and summer season all-depth quota of 226,989 pounds is taken or Oct. 28, whichever comes first. The possibility of a second fish to the bag limit could occur after the Labor Day weekend if the catch is low, Bodenmiller said.
The high-relief area of Stonewall Bank is closed to halibut fishing to reduce incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish. Both species are considered over-fished and must be released immediately. The closed area is defined by latitude and longitude waypoints, which are available on the Marine Resources Program Web site.
The daily bag limit for Pacific halibut is one fish and there is no minimum length. The possession limit for Pacific halibut is one daily limit at sea and three daily limits on land. The annual limit per angler is six fish.
Sport anglers are reminded possession of groundfish species is not allowed north of Humbug Mountain when a Pacific halibut is aboard their vessel during all-depth Pacific halibut dates. The exception is sablefish (black cod), which may be retained with halibut between Humbug Mountain and Cape Falcon. Other non-groundfish species, such as tuna and salmon during authorized seasons, may be possessed with halibut on open all-depth Pacific halibut days.
More details on regulations can be found at: www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/fishing/seasonmaps/seasonmap_current.asp or in the 2007 Oregon Sport Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and Other Marine Species booklet. General regulations can be found in the 2007 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.