On January 20th, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide the fate of Columbia River anglers for the 2017 fishing season and the future of the Columbia River Fisheries Reform Package. To date, Oregon’s anglers have not received what we paid for (the Columbia River endorsement fee), what we sacrificed for (smolt transfers from the Sandy River and Willamette River hatcheries to supplement the Young’s Bay gillnet fishery), and what we were promised (increased angler opportunity and greater conservation measures by the gillnet fleet).
WE NEED YOU THERE!
Join your fellow anglers in a united front against attacks on the bi-state reform package agreement by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. In December, led by Commissioners Buckmaster and Anderson, who favor commercial fishing interests, the Oregon Commission voted to “freeze” implementation of the reform package, thereby rolling back the phase out of gillnets on the mainstem Columbia and the promised phase in of increased sport fishing opportunity.
Fortunately, this last Saturday, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission did not follow in Oregon’s footsteps, but instead largely sided with sport fishers. Washington decided to implement most of the key provisions of the reform package, including full implementation of the spring and summer season reforms, and a commitment to full implementation of fall season reforms in two years.
Now, the ball is the Oregon Commission’s court . . .
WE NEED YOU THERE!
Sportanglers have kept their promises and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission reaffirmed their commitment to their largest constituency through a decision prioritizing sportfishing on the mainstem Columbia. In the face of two already approved fee increases, and the need for support for an alternative fee package that recognizes that all Oregonians should pay for ODF&W’s programs, it’s time for the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to recognize the merits of full implementation of the Columbia River Fishery Reforms. Please join your fellow anglers and urge the commission to keep their promises to our community by attending the January 20th meeting in Salem or email them, expressing your desires for full implementation of the reform policy. Please tell the Oregon Commission to:
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Commit to full implementation of the Columbia River Reform Package – including the agreed to recreational fishing priority on the mainstem and a transition of gillnets to off channel areas.
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Reject ODFW staff’s proposal to abandon full implementation and to allow non-selective gill nets to permanently remain on the mainstem.
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Re-open the Young’s Bay area to recreational fishing – as recommended by ODFW to aid conservation of wild fish by removing more hatchery fish from the spawning grounds.
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Allow the use of barbed hooks in the Willamette River and Oregon tributaries as also recommended by ODFW.
WE NEED YOU THERE!
Where:
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Headquarters
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
Salem, OR 97302
When:
Meeting starts at 8:00am
Meanwhile, please consider writing the commission on your feelings for deviating from the course at:
AND, contact your Senator and Representative by finding their contact info here:
