Fish Report

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today adopted regulations for the commercial market squid fishery, which has grown in Oregon in recent years.

The new regulations include periodic closures to protect spawning squid, gear requirements to reduce benthic impacts, logbook requirements for “light boats” and clarifying that “light boats” are prohibited from operating in the Cascade Head South Marine Protected Area.

In other business, the Commission:

• Denied a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity requesting to add mink to the list of prohibited species. The Commission instead discussed ways to achieve the rule’s substantive goals in a way that reduces the negative economic impact on businesses.
• Amended rules to comply with HB 3315 (passed by 2015 Oregon State Legislature), to remove the issuance of information statements and authorize the issuance of invoices for recompensable assistance to executive department agencies.
• Approved several Access and Habitat projects recommended for funding to provide public hunting access or improve wildlife habitat on private land; and appointed Nicholas Callero of Milwaukie as Hunter Representative to the Access and Habitat board.
• Appointed Alexis Vaivoda of Hood River to the Fish Screening Task Force to represent the public position on the board. This seven-member board advises ODFW staff on fish screening program development, implementation, monitoring, technology, funding and reporting.

The Commission also heard an update on 2021 ocean salmon fishery planning. Formal regulations will be adopted at their next meeting on April 23, based on Pacific Fishery Management Council guidelines.

A video of today’s online meeting is available at ODFW’s YouTube channel https://youtu.be/8vPo3Vko7rk.