The state wants to hear from recreational halibut fishermen. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife plans a public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in Newport on the topic.

The department is seeking comments on:

€ the number and dates of fixed open days during the spring (May-July) all-depth season;

€ back-up dates for the spring fishery in case quota remains after the fixed dates; and

€ scheduled dates for the summer (August through October) all-depth season.

The meeting will be held in room 30 at the Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Additionally, the Pacific Fishery Management Council changed the way the all-depth fishery will be structured in 2005. A description of those changes, along with the reasons for the changes, can be found online at http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/odfw/finfish/halibut/.

For more information, those interested can call Don Bodenmiller at the ODFW at (541) 867-0300, ext. 223; or by e-mail to don.bodenmiller@oregonstate.edu.