New commercial market squid advisory panel meets; public may observe, Oct. 22

NEWPORT, Ore – A new industry advisory panel for Oregon’s commercial market squid fishery meets virtually for the first time with ODFW marine fisheries managers Friday, Oct. 22 from 3-5 p.m. The panel of 10 members represents the commercial market squid industry including vessel operators and processors from along the West Coast. The meeting agenda topics include: net size restrictions, rib line specification, vessel position monitoring requirements, and setting a control date for use in future consideration of a limited entry permit program. A control date tells the public that activities occurring after that date may not count toward qualification for the limited entry program. The public is invited to observe the meeting and can access it through the agenda link. Oregon’s market squid fishery has grown dramatically since 2016, coinciding with surveys showing increased market squid populations off the Oregon coast. The market squid fishery began in Oregon in the early 1980s but catch and fishing effort generally were low. In the past five years, the number of vessels has increased to 40 in some years and catch has risen to more than 10 million pounds in 2020. The increase in market squid fishing has brought economic benefits to coastal fishing communities. It has also created the need for additional management measures to minimize bycatch of Dungeness crab and other species, reduce interactions between squid nets and Dungeness crab pots, and ensure the squid population remains productive into the future.