Salmon proposals to restrict Columbia gillnetting

Other anglers still would be allowed on main river
Statesman Journal
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903280327

The brouhaha over Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon has been joined in the Oregon Legislature.

More than 200 people — almost everyone in the lobby overflow area watching on TV monitors sporting orange CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) ballcaps — turned out for an informational session to hear about a half-dozen bills dealing with commercial gillnetting in front of the members of the House Committee on Sustainability and Economic Development.

The two bills that have the broadest support among angling, sportfishing and conservation groups would move commercial gillnetters off the main river and into lower-river Select Area Fisheries Evaluation (SAFE) juvenile salmon release sites in sloughs and side channels.

Here is an overview of what's in the pipeline, beginning with the two that have the broadest support the sports side:

House Bill 2734 and companion Senate Bill 554: The so-called "SAFE for Salmon" legislation is the brainchild of Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and several conservation biologists. It would require that all non-Native American gillnetting move into SAFE areas.

Companion bills HB 2579 and Senate Bill 527: These are the CCA's babies. Both would require only fixed fishing gear (basically traps) or small-mesh nets known as seines for taking commercial salmon.

The most obvious trap sites would be fish ladders, and because of the volume and flows on the Columbia, seining operations would of necessity move commercial netting into SAFE areas.

Both sets of bills are touted as lessening — some at the hearing said eliminating — the incidental take of federally protected non-hatchery wild salmon by commercial netters.

It's the allowed incidental deaths of listed salmon that caps the sport and commercial catches, proponents of the bills argued at the hearing.

So cutting the losses by the more lethal gillnetting would mean more fish for both sport and commercial anglers.

Gillnetters representatives at the hearing were vehemently opposed to moving off-river, saying that there isn't room in the SAFE areas for the fleet. And, they argued, with the reduced quality of the SAFE-area salmon, they couldn't make enough to make it a viable fishery.

Two other bills go farther.

HB 2781 and SB524: Would prohibit any non-Native American commercial nets in the Columbia for taking salmon, steelhead or sturgeon.

And there's a wild card in the deck that didn't come up during the hearing. HB 3323 would change turn the tables not just on the Columbia, but statewide. It would make guides and charters operators commercial anglers.

So that anyone who takes paying customers to fish for salmon, steelhead or sturgeon would need to be a part of what's known as a "limited-entry" fishery.

In other words a 450 cap on the number of resident licenses accompanied by hefty license ($250) and annual renewal ($50) fees as well as an "endorsement" fee ($250) and annual renewal charge of $125 to fish in each of four regions in the state.

SAFE for Salmon Lobby Day and Bill Hearing on March 26th

Speak out for Salmon in Salem!
SAFE for Salmon Lobby Day and Bill Hearing on March 26th
8 AM-3 PM

The SAFE for Salmon bill, HB-2734, will be heard by the House Committee on Sustainability and Economic Development on March 26th. This is a key point in the campaign for better conservation and better fishing. We are within reach of achieving historic progress for fish and fishing -- ALL fishing.

The time has come for your voice and presence to be felt in Salem!

The campaign has gotten this far and the backs of friends and colleagues who have sacrificed time and treasure to push our cause in the Capitol. Now, on the horizon of this historic hearing, we need to launch our most aggressive lobbying effort yet and we need your help to do it.

SAFE for Salmon invites you to participate in the SAFE for Salmon Lobby Day in Salem to achieve better fishing and better fish management on the Columbia River.

Think only professional lobbyists can lobby? Think again! Legislators are most influenced by constituents who take the time to visit the Capitol to support an issue. In short, the most effective lobbyist is you! USE YOUR VOICE!

Lobby Day is an exciting opportunity to join hundreds of other concerned anglers and activists in direct meetings with your elected officials to promote SAFE for Salmon. To date, the campaign has made significant gains in Salem and legislators are aware of the problems plaguing the Columbia River fisheries. Now, they need to hear from their constituents. They need to hear from you!

Lobby day will show our elected representatives the massive levels of support for our proposal on the date of its hearing and will stress the need for immediate action.

Festivities will begin at 8 AM in the Chinook Room of the Capitol. There will be a morning briefing on tips for successful lobbying and an overview of SAFE for Salmon, delivered by Jim Martin, which will prepare you to meet your elected officials and advocate for SAFE for Salmon. Coffee and refreshments will be served.

Lunch will be provided before moving en masse to the hearing room at 1 PM. Your presence at Lobby Day and our bill hearing can help us achieve a new and better day for fish and fishermen in the Northwest. Please donate a day for better fishing for a lifetime.

R.S.V.P. by March 23rd to:

Colin Cochran

safeforsalmon@gmail.com

503.631.4747

Include in your reservation:

· Your name and phone number

· The names of your State Representative and State Senator

· Or your residential address so we can identify your elected officials. This information will help us in making appointments.

For more information on SAFE for Salmon, please visit our website at www.safeforsalmon.com

See you in Salem!

Kind Regards,

Colin Cochran

Campaign Director
SAFE for Salmon

Washington Senate Committee Considers SB 5127