09-18-2008, 11:10 AM
Date:
September 16, 2008
Contact:
Don Bodenmiller (541) 867-4741
Fax: (541) 867-0311
NEWPORT, Ore - On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21, anglers may keep two Pacific halibut each day in the sport halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast.
"We had some challenging ocean conditions again this last weekend that kept anglers in port," said Don Bodenmiller, sport halibut project leader for ODFW. "The two-halibut-a-day bag limit this coming weekend may end the 2008 all-depth season off the central Oregon coast if ocean conditions are favorable."
More than 36,000 pounds remain available for the central Oregon coast all-depth fishery - from Cape Falcon (30 miles south of the Columbia River) to Humbug Mountain (south of Port Orford). However, managers were concerned that there could be considerable angler effort if ocean conditions are favorable, and decided to limit the opening to Saturday and Sunday. Any further openings will be announced after catch estimates area evaluated and if sufficient quota remains.
In addition to the all-depth halibut fishery, anglers along the central coast may continue to fish for halibut nearshore of the 40-fathom line every day until the earlier of October 31 or attainment of the quota. The daily bag limit for the nearshore fishery remains at one halibut, except on September 20 and 21 when the bag limit is two. The 40-fathom line is defined by waypoints.
Sport anglers are reminded the high-relief area of Stonewall Bank is closed to halibut fishing to reduce incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish. The closed area is defined by latitude and longitude waypoints, which are available on the Marine Resources Program Web site.
Sport anglers are also reminded that 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 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 2008 Pacific Halibut Sport Seasons In Oregon or in the 2008 Oregon Sport Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and Other Marine Species booklet. General regulations can be found in the 2008 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
September 16, 2008
Contact:
Don Bodenmiller (541) 867-4741
Fax: (541) 867-0311
NEWPORT, Ore - On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21, anglers may keep two Pacific halibut each day in the sport halibut fishery off the central Oregon coast.
"We had some challenging ocean conditions again this last weekend that kept anglers in port," said Don Bodenmiller, sport halibut project leader for ODFW. "The two-halibut-a-day bag limit this coming weekend may end the 2008 all-depth season off the central Oregon coast if ocean conditions are favorable."
More than 36,000 pounds remain available for the central Oregon coast all-depth fishery - from Cape Falcon (30 miles south of the Columbia River) to Humbug Mountain (south of Port Orford). However, managers were concerned that there could be considerable angler effort if ocean conditions are favorable, and decided to limit the opening to Saturday and Sunday. Any further openings will be announced after catch estimates area evaluated and if sufficient quota remains.
In addition to the all-depth halibut fishery, anglers along the central coast may continue to fish for halibut nearshore of the 40-fathom line every day until the earlier of October 31 or attainment of the quota. The daily bag limit for the nearshore fishery remains at one halibut, except on September 20 and 21 when the bag limit is two. The 40-fathom line is defined by waypoints.
Sport anglers are reminded the high-relief area of Stonewall Bank is closed to halibut fishing to reduce incidental catch of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish. The closed area is defined by latitude and longitude waypoints, which are available on the Marine Resources Program Web site.
Sport anglers are also reminded that 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 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 2008 Pacific Halibut Sport Seasons In Oregon or in the 2008 Oregon Sport Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and Other Marine Species booklet. General regulations can be found in the 2008 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.