[ODFW-News] Lingcod and canary rockfish seasons closed through Dec. 31

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009
	
For Immediate Release	Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Lingcod and canary rockfish seasons closed through Dec. 31
Sport and commercial groundfish seasons restricted for remainder of
2003 

SALEM - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in conjunction with
federal fishery managers, has closed the following fisheries for the
remainder of the year: recreational groundfish deeper than 27 fathoms,
commercial trawl-caught spot prawn, and commercial groundfish shallower
than 150 fathoms. The closures went into effect Friday, Nov. 21, because
the total coast-wide catch in Washington, Oregon and California for
canary rockfish and lingcod exceeded allowable harvest levels.

The sport groundfish fishery will be open from the shore out to
designated points defining the 27-fathom curve, according to a temporary
rule adopted by ODFW. Legal waypoints can be found at
http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/odfw/regs/AN111803.pdf . Retention of
canary rockfish and lingcod are now prohibited in all Oregon waters. Bag
limits and length restrictions for other rockfish, greenling, flounder,
sole and cabezon remain unchanged from those listed in the 2003 Oregon
Sport Fishing Regulations. Starting Jan. 1, 2004, anglers must follow
the rules listed in the 2004 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. 

The commercial spot prawn trawl fishery is closed Nov. 21 - Dec. 31
according to a temporary rule adopted by ODFW due to the potential for
by-catch of the overfished species. 

Commercial groundfish trawl fisheries must fish deeper than 200 fathoms
through the end of the year, however, some exceptions were granted for
petrale fishing areas and boats using special footrope gear. Commercial
boats with fixed gear, or open access line gear, are limited to fishing
deeper than 150 fathoms. The commercial groundfish rules are adopted by
NOAA Fisheries and more specific information should be obtained from
that agency.
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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002