After a lengthy discussion, and reviewing the input received via phone, e-mails, the public meeting, and the online survey, ODFW staff are recommending the following dates for sport Pacific halibut all-depth seasons between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt:

Spring all-depth "Fixed Dates": May 9-11; May 16-18, May 30-June 1, and June 6-8

Spring all-depth "Back-up Dates", if quota remaining: June 20-22, July 4-6, and July 18-20

Summer all-depth: opens Aug 2-3, every other Friday and Saturday until quota is attained

Staff was initially concerned about having an opening during June 20-22 due to negative tides, but most anglers we spoke to throughout the coast indicated that the negative tides wouldn't be an issue those days because the strong outgoing current will occur before first light and that the current will be slack or incoming during first light, which is when nearly everyone departs. This included small boat anglers from ports with rough bars, such as Garibaldi and Bandon.

The staff recommended season dates map for all Oregon subareas can be found at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/seasonmaps/2013%20recommendation.pdf The season dates and regulations will be finalized by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commissions (OFWC) at their April 26 meeting.