Proposed temporary 2019 wild fall chinook regulation changes on south coast rivers – Public invited to comment, May 21

ODFW release – CHARLESTON, Ore – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing temporary harvest limits and closures for coastal wild fall chinook fisheries due to low escapement in 2018 and poor forecasts for this year. The public is invited to give input on temporary proposals for south coast rivers at meetings hosted in North Bend, Port Orford and Brookings. Proposed temporary regulation changes provide angling opportunity while reducing harvest and increasing spawning escapement of wild fall chinook. Public input will help balance these two objectives and assist managers should additional regulations be needed during the season. “With expected lower coastal fall chinook runs similar to last year, conservation measures are needed to protect these populations for future fisheries,” said Mike Gray, Charleston District Fish Biologist. “Some temporary proposed changes are significant, so we’d really like the public to be aware and provide input on our proposals. No changes are proposed for the Rogue or Umpqua rivers.” Proposed harvest reduction measures are in line with actions developed through the 2014 Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan for addressing low wild fall chinook abundance. Proposals for streams and rivers from Euchre Creek to the California border are also in line with the 2013 Rogue Fall Chinook Conservation Plan. Public meeting schedule: May 21 – North Bend, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Avenue.  May 30 – Port Orford, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Port Orford Public Library, 1421 Oregon Street.  June 5 – Brookings, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Chetco Community Public Library, 405 Alder Street.