The salmon fishery management process is convoluted and sometimes the meetings are held far away from the coast but there are several opportunities for trollers to provide input and also learn about options for the upcoming seasons. Here is a list of meetings:

€ Salmon Technical Team

Feb. 6-9: The Pacific Fishery Management Council's Salmon Technical Team will meet at the Council office in a public work session to draft “Preseason Report I-Stock Abundance Analysis for 2007 Ocean Salmon Fisheries” and to consider any other estimation or methodology issues pertinent to the 2007 ocean salmon fisheries.

The work session will be held at the PFMC's large conference room at 7700 N.E. Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220-1384.

€ Ocean salmon industry meeting

Feb. 28: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association Ocean Salmon Industry Group Meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hallmark Resort, Salon Room, 744 S.W. Elizabeth St., in Newport from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Agenda items include a review of the 2006 ocean fisheries, review of 2006 salmon spawner escapements, 2007 coho and Chinook abundance forecasts, sideboards, guidelines and issues affecting the 2007 salmon season structure, and development of Oregon preferred options for both the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries for 2007. Coffee and pastries will be available at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will also be at the Hallmark. For more information, those interested can contact Georgia York, OCZMA, at (541) 265-8918 or (541) 265-6651; or by e-mail at georgia_york@class.oregonvos.net.

€ Pacific Fishery Management Council

March 4-9: The PFMC and advisory entities will meet at the DoubleTree Hotel Sacramento, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, Calif., to adopt the 2007 salmon management options for public review.

Public hearings

€ March 26-27: Public hearings will be held to receive comments on the proposed ocean salmon fishery management options adopted by the PFMC. All public hearings begin at 7 p.m. on the dates below.

€ Monday, March 26

Chateau Westport

Beach Room

710 W Hancock

Westport, WA 98595

€ Monday, March 26

Red Lion Hotel

South Umpqua Room

1313 N. Bayshore Drive

Coos Bay, OR 97420

€ Tuesday, March 27

Hilton Sonoma Wine Country

3555 Round Barn Blvd.

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

€ Pacific Fishery Management Council

€ April 1-6: The PFMC and advisory entities will meet at the Seattle Marriott Hotel, Sea Tac, 3201 S. 176th St., Seattle, to adopt 2007 management measures for implementation by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

€ April 3: Testimony on the management options will be taken during the Council meeting at the Seattle Marriott Hotel, Sea Tac, 3201 S. 176th St., Seattle;

Additional Information

For further information about the PFMC, salmon 2007 management process, work sessions and hearings, those interested can contact Chuck Tracy by calling (503) 820-2280, ext. 415, or toll free (866) 806-7204.

Those who would like to be notified of future PFMC meetings via email can contact Carrie Compton at (503) 820-2280 or Carrie.Compton@noaa.gov to provide your email address.

Source: Pacific Fishery Management Council, Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association