Oregon's Sardine Fishery 2004 Summary

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: McCrae, Jean and Jill Smith

Publish Date: 2005

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Pacific sardines (Sardinops sagax) are managed under the Pacific Fishery Management Council's Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Under the FMP, the biomass of sardines is estimated each year and a coast-wide harvest guideline is established. In 2002, the Council adopted an interim allocation system for the 2003-2004 seasons. Discussions to design a new allocation system began in 2004. Under the interim allocation system, the harvest guideline is allocated 2/3 to the southern area (south of Point Arena, California) and 1/3 to the northern area (north of Point Arena, mainly Oregon and Washington). Any portion of the harvest guideline that is unused by September 1 may be re-allocated 80/20 between the southern and northern areas. For 2004, the coast-wide harvest guideline was 122,747 mt (up from 110,908 mt for 2003) and the initial northern allocation was 40,917 mt. Except for the coast-wide harvest guideline, management of sardines north of 39° N (approximately Point Arena) continues under state management as long as the management measures are consistent with the FMP. In Oregon, sardines are managed under the Developmental Fishery Program which limits the number of harvest permits. Prior to 2001, 15 permits were allowed and all were issued in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, five additional permits were added (for a total of 20) to encourage an increase in processing capabilities.

Purpose: The goals for this year's work were to continue to gather information on sardines off Oregon to improve the coast-wide stock assessment of sardines and document the extent of by-catch in the fishery. Objectives include: • Collect size, age, and distribution data of adult sardines off Oregon, from both the harvest areas and outside harvest areas. • Document bycatch, in terms of species, amount, and condition. Recommend management measures to reduce by-catch if necessary. • Document harvest methods, distribution of harvest, and catch per unit of effort. • Test for oil content using an Islandic scale.

Time Period of Content: 1999-2004

Geographic Extent: Oregon

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source:

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown