Oregon - Public Asked To Help Shape Sport Halibut Season

NEWPORT – Anglers after halibut will hear the details of the Pacific halibut quota for 2013 and have the opportunity to weigh in on the dates of openings in the Central Coast Sub-area spring all-depth halibut fishery.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at the Holiday Inn Express, 135 SE 32nd St., Newport (South Beach). Attendees will be asked to comment on the spring (May to July) all-depth fixed dates between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, back-up dates for the spring fishery (in case quota remains after the fixed dates), and the dates for the summer (August to October) all-depth season.

“We know that the sport halibut fishery is important to anglers so their input is very important to ensure we have a good season structure,” said Lynn Mattes, halibut project leader for ODFW.

Mattes recently attended the International Pacific Halibut Commission annual meeting where the annual allowable catch for the West Coast was set at the same level as last year.

For those who cannot attend in person, presentation materials and an online survey will be available by Feb. 2 on the ODFW sport halibut webpage (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/index.asp). If you have questions or want to provide additional comments without attending the meeting, please contact Lynn Mattes at 541-867-0300 ext. 237or by email: lynn.mattes@state.or.us or Patrick Mirick at 541-867-0300 ext. 223 or by email: Patrick.P.Mirick@state.or.us. The fax number is 541-867-0311.