SALEM, Ore.—The Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Feb. 7-8 in Portland. On Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., several commissioners and ODFW Director Curt Melcher will host a reception open to the public in the Green Theater, Portland Expo Center during the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show. See more info here. On Friday, the Commission meets starting at 8 a.m. at the Embassy Suites Portland Airport, Pine and Spruce Rooms, 7900 NE 82nd Ave, Portland. See the meeting agenda at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/19/02_Feb/index.asp The Commission will hear an update on Lower Columbia River white sturgeon populations and fisheries and results from ODFW’s ongoing stock assessments. Population indicators for white sturgeon are mixed, with positive signs for the abundance of legal-sized fish but more cautionary ones for juvenile and young-of-year recruitment. Because of these concerns, fisheries managers continue to take a precautionary approach to white sturgeon fisheries. Per their request last year, the Commission will hear an informational briefing on the state’s razor clam fisheries, including ODFW’s decades-long monitoring program. Razor clamming is a popular activity on the north coast, especially on Clatsop beaches, where 5,000-6,000 people can be out clamming on a good low tide. Public testimony for topics not on the agenda will be held first thing Friday morning, just after the adoption of temporary rules. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
