To fish or not to fish - that's just one of the questions local commercial salmon trollers are considering before the industry's biggest meeting Wednesday in Newport.

Last year's abrupt season closure, barely a week before the traditional March 15 opening, left many fishermen caught short. Fishermen in every port were putting gear on their boats and getting them ready. Instead of a boatload of fish, they got a boatload of bills.

That's changed this year. Trollers haven't put as much work into their boats and they're more watchful as the season unfolds.

Currently, there is a March 15 season opener on the books, said Curt Melcher, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Assistant Fish Division Administrator.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council, when it meets early in March, could decide to close it again, Melcher said, but he'd like to get input from fishermen on what they'd prefer.

“I've heard from several fishermen that they'd like to save those impacts for later in the summer,” Melcher said.

State fishery managers will review last year's salmon season and go over 2007 coho and Chinook abundance forecasts at the industry meeting. They also will be discussing season options for this year. That input will be forwarded to the federal council at the March meeting.

“It's fairly positive, compared to years past,” Melcher said of potential fishing opportunities in 2007.

Recreational fishing seasons also will be discussed.

The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Salon Room of the Hallmark Inns and Resorts, 744 S.W. Elizabeth, in Newport. An Oregon Salmon Commission meeting will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. in the same room.

The PFMC will meet at the Double Tree Hotel in Sacramento, March 4-9, to develop options for the 2007 salmon season and discuss other fisheries management issues.

Documents that review last year's salmon season and also pertain to this year's salmon season are available on the council's Web site at www.pcouncil.org.