Download the complete Joint Staff Report Concerning Commercial Seasons for Sturgeon and Smelt in 2004 PDF Format [216KB] The Columbia River Compact The Columbia River Compact is charged by congressional and statutory authority to adopt seasons and rules for Columbia River commercial fisheries. In recent years, the Compact has consisted of the Oregon and Washington agency directors, or their delegates, acting on behalf of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC) and the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission (WFWC). In addition, the Columbia River treaty tribes have authority to regulate treaty Indian fisheries. When addressing commercial seasons for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon, the Compact must consider the effect of the commercial fishery on escapement, treaty rights, and sport fisheries, as well as the impact on species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Although the Compact has no authority to adopt sport fishing seasons or rules, it is an inherent responsibility of the Compact to address the allocation of limited resources among users. This responsibility has become increasingly demanding in recent years. The Compact can be expected to be more conservative than in the past when considering fisheries that will impact listed salmon and steelhead.

Joint Staff Report Concerning Commercial Seasons for Sturgeon and Smelt in 2004 Joint Columbia River Management Staff Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife December 5, 2003 Introduction This report describes winter season sturgeon and smelt fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River and includes summaries of stock status, current management plans and guidelines, and past management actions and strategies. Additionally, this report contains information concerning smelt abundances and fisheries in Columbia River tributaries. Fisheries and season proposals described in this report will be considered at a public hearing of the Columbia River Compact to be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday December 19, 2003 at the Water Resources Education Center located at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, Washington. The purpose of this hearing is to consider fishing seasons for the commercial harvest of sturgeon and smelt within the mainstem Columbia River. This report has been reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC functions under U.S. v. Oregon and is comprised of biologists from state and federal fish management agencies and the Columbia River treaty Indian tribes.

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