The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission recently made several significant decisions regarding sea urchins during a virtual meeting. They approved a daily catch limit of 35 purple sea urchins per person in the Marine Zone but did not approve the proposal for new commercial take permits. They also revised regulations to allow controlled culling of red and purple sea urchins at priority sites. This decision was praised by ODFW Shellfish Program Leader Steve Rumrill for its commitment to conservation, particularly for ensuring the preservation of bull kelp.
The Commission also postponed an agenda item regarding the Private Forest Accord OAR revision for further stakeholder engagement. They received updates on the Hatchery Resiliency Project and discussed safety concerns from crab fishermen, Winchester Dam issues, and concerns about current regulations related to barbless hooks in the Columbia River.
In other business, the Commission voted for the department to review the pros and cons of existing barbless hook regulations at a future meeting and rejected a settlement agreement from Douglas County. Additionally, a workshop was held on the risks of road surface runoff to aquatic ecosystems caused by 6PPD-q, a chemical used in tire manufacturing, and urban conservation and community engagement.
Chair Mary Wahl highlighted the importance of connecting with broader communities through the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund. Overall, the decisions made by the Commission during the meeting aim to balance conservation efforts while addressing the concerns of various stakeholders in the state.
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