NEWPORT, Ore. – ODFW is hosting public meetings to get input on proposed 2025 recreational bottomfish and Pacific halibut and seasons. Black rockfish and canary rockfish harvest reductions for 2025 will be the focus of bottomfish discussions.

ODFW marine fishery managers will give information on these two popular fisheries and collect public input. Information presented at the meetings will be available July 26 on the ODFW recreational bottomfish and Pacific halibut webpages.

The necessity of a more restrictive bag limit for the bottomfish fishery next year is a central topic of these meetings. Restrictions are due to recent (2023) stock assessments for both black rockfish and canary rockfish. For black rockfish, discussions focus on the pros and cons of a sub-bag option versus an overall reduction of the General Marine Species daily bag limit (current five).

Meeting schedule:

• Brookings: Monday, July 29, 5:30-7 p.m., Chetco Community Public Library, 405 Alder St.
• North Bend: Tuesday, July 30, 6-8 p.m., North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave.
• Newport: Monday, Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m., Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) Glady Valley Marine Studies Building Classroom 176, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive. A virtual option available (see below.)
• Salem: Tuesday Aug. 6, 6-8 p.m., ODFW headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE.

Aug. 5 virtual option:
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 258 118 755 093
Passcode: graatz

Dial in by phone
+1 503-446-4951,,553571534# United States, Portland 
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 553 571 534#

Season setting process:

Recreational bottomfish:
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) adopted annual catch limits for all nearshore species. ODFW will review those at the public meetings and asks for input on season structures. 

Staff will use this input during development of staff recommendations. The recommendations will be given to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for consideration in setting the 2025 sport bottomfish season at their Dec. 13 meeting.

Recreational Pacific halibut:
ODFW manages Pacific halibut in partnership with the Council and National Marine Fisheries Service. ODFW will submit recommendations to the Council for setting Pacific halibut seasons and regulations. The Council will consider these recommendations at their September meeting, taking into account the public's input.