NEWPORT, Ore.—Oregon’s commercial market squid fishery advisory panel meets online with ODFW marine fisheries managers on Thursday, July 14 from 3-5 p.m. The public is invited to observe the meeting. Find the agenda and link to join at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/market_squid/index.asp In February, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission directed ODFW staff to develop a proposal to prohibit light boats. The advisory panel will discuss the timeline and process for possibly prohibiting light boats beginning by the start of the 2023 squid fishery. The Commission will consider a proposal for adoption at a future, early winter meeting. Commercial squid fishermen often use lights to attract squid to the surface at night, making it easier to catch them. A common practice is for squid fishermen to pay other independent light boats to search for squid and attract them with lights. Once a light boat finds a school of squid, they call in the catching vessel to harvest them with a seine net. Concerns about sustainability of the resource and socio-economic conflicts stem from the use of these independent light boats.
ODFW first convened the advisory panel last fall to provide input on modifying market squid fishery regulations. The group of 10 panelists represent vessel operators and processors from along the West Coast. More information on the panel can be found at odfw.com.
