What steps does ODFW take to minimize the risk of inseason groundfish sport closures?
• The daily bag limit for marine fish is adjusted preseason based on the caps, results from recent seasons, and catch projections for the upcoming year. • ODFW monitors the sport groundfish fishery from month to month. • When possible, ODFW considers taking inseason action that will slow down a fishery (such as a reduced bag limit or non-retention rule) before the need arises to stop a fishery altogether. • ODFW meets with the Sportfish Advisory Committee (SAC) to review harvest estimates and any potential need to slow or stop harvest through inseason regulations. SAC is a group of 15 Oregon participants representing marine anglers, angler organizations, charter vessels, and ports that provides information and advice to ODFW. • A buffer is set aside for the shore and estuary fisheries so that these fisheries may remain open even if the ocean boat fishery needs to be closed due to attainment of a sport groundfish cap. • ODFW provides public access to sport groundfish harvest information
