SALEM, Ore.—Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Feb. 12 online beginning at 8 a.m. See the agenda online at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/21/02_Feb/index.asp The meeting will be livestreamed over ODFW’s YouTube Channel, which can be viewed from this page, https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/ To testify online for one of the agenda items, fill out the online form below no later than 48 hours before the meeting begins (so by Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 8 a.m.) https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_XzJ_1VK4TqCSf5iIAQl0Tg
Comments about agenda items can also be emailed to odfw.commission@state.or.us The Commission will be asked to: Extend the current closure of the recreational abalone fishery for three years as a precaution. Recent surveys show a continued trend toward decline in Oregon’s population of red abalone. Extension of the closure will allow time to monitor habitat conditions and conduct additional underwater surveys to assess changes in the index populations located along the Southern Oregon Coast. Remove Borax Lake Chub from the state list of threatened and endangered species. Borax Lake chub are a unique minnow found only in Oregon’s Borax Lake and its surrounding wetlands (in the Alvord Desert of Harney County). Threats to their habitat, the primary reason for listing, have been addressed or removed thanks to natural resource agencies and their partners. Borax Lake Chub were downlisted from “endangered” to “threatened” on the State List in April 2017 and formally removed from the Federal ESA list in July 2020. Appoint members to the Commercial Fishery Permit Board. The Board reviews limited entry permit renewal and transfer denials made by ODFW for certain commercial fisheries. Commissioners will also hear an update on the population status of lower Columbia River white sturgeon and review 2020 sturgeon fisheries. Commissioners will also hold a public forum for people to comment on topics not on the agenda. To participate in public forum, call the ODFW Director’s office at (503) 947-6044 by Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. (48 hours prior to the meeting).
