WDFW response letter:

Washington and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Directors have received a number of emails in the past week regarding the management of Columbia River commercial fisheries within the area that has been designated as a sanctuary for Columbia River sturgeon during May-August.

The sanctuary regulations were established by our respective Fish and Wildlife Commissions with the objective to eliminate target fishing on the brood stock sized fish during the spawning and post-spawning recovery period to reduce potential impact to future sturgeon productivity.

The current fishery management strategy includes continuance of sport and commercial fisheries within the sanctuary that are not targeting on brood stock sturgeon.

I know all of us are concerned about the recent decline in the lower Columbia River sturgeon population, and I appreciate that you brought to my attention your concerns about our management strategy.

WDFW and ODFW are in discussions regarding this issue and intend to work together in 2012 to evaluate our sport and commercial fishery regulations to ensure they are consistent with the objectives of the sturgeon sanctuary.

We look forward to the participation of our stakeholders during this review. Thank you for sharing your perspectives.

Phil Anderson
Director