ODFW is seeking input on proposed changes for the 2022 sport halibut and bottomfish seasons – ODFW will host a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, October 27 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm to gather public input on the recreational halibut regulations for 2022. Three proposed changes for the 2022 sport Pacific halibut season will be considered by the Pacific Fishery Management Council in November. These are: Allow groundfish retention on all all-depth dates in the Central Oregon Coast and Columbia River Subareas Central Oregon Coast all-depth open seven days per week in May and/or September after Labor Day (currently just Thursday – Saturday); Daily bag limit (option to increase from 1 to 2 fish prior to Labor Day). Staff will also provide an overview of proposed changes for the 2022 sport bottomfish fishery that will be considered by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on December 17, and look further down the road as federal regulations begin to take shape for the 2023-24 recreational fisheries. Information that will be presented on at the meeting, as well as an online survey, will be available on ODFW’s halibut and bottomfish webpages several days in advance of the meeting.
