To: Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission
Take Action: Support the Governor’s Plan to End Gillnetting
Governor Kitzhaber has proposed eliminating gill nets from the Lower Columbia River while allowing their use in off-channel sites like Young’s Bay.
The Governor’s plan is a common-sense approach that balances economic vitality for both the commercial and sports fishing industries with conservation and protection of endangered native fish and marine mammals.
We urge you to support the Governor’s plan and act quickly to implement it.
The Governor’s plan is a common-sense approach that balances economic vitality for both the commercial and sports fishing industries with conservation and protection of endangered native fish and marine mammals.
We urge you to support the Governor’s plan and act quickly to implement it.
Why is this important?
On August 9, Governor Kitzhaber committed to protected the 13 species of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin that are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. He pointed out that the use of non-tribal commercial gill nets in the mainstem of the Columbia is inconsistent with the long term goal of protecting the recovery of these endangered fish.
This proposal is a win for endangered species; conservationists; and for commercial, sports and recreational fishers.
Gill nets are an outdated fishing method, indiscriminately killing marine mammals, birds, and endangered native fish alongside hatchery-reared fish targeted for harvest.
The Governor has proposed eliminating gill nets from the mainstem of the Columbia River while allowing their use in off channel sites like Young’s Bay. Under the Governor’s proposal, any commercial fishing in the mainstem would have to rely on selective fishing methods that minimize mortality to ESA-listed fish.
Too many times before, special interests have undermined common-sense reforms for Columbia River fisheries management. Now, those same special interests are continuing to fight progress by misleading the public about this proposal. This isn’t about river access, harvest allocations or a battle between jobs versus the environment. This is a proposal to protect wild and endangered fish.
We applaud Governor Kitzhaber for recognizing this key conservation issue and for initiating much-needed action to ensure a balanced and sustainable future for the Columbia River.
Take action now and sign the petition.
This proposal is a win for endangered species; conservationists; and for commercial, sports and recreational fishers.
Gill nets are an outdated fishing method, indiscriminately killing marine mammals, birds, and endangered native fish alongside hatchery-reared fish targeted for harvest.
The Governor has proposed eliminating gill nets from the mainstem of the Columbia River while allowing their use in off channel sites like Young’s Bay. Under the Governor’s proposal, any commercial fishing in the mainstem would have to rely on selective fishing methods that minimize mortality to ESA-listed fish.
Too many times before, special interests have undermined common-sense reforms for Columbia River fisheries management. Now, those same special interests are continuing to fight progress by misleading the public about this proposal. This isn’t about river access, harvest allocations or a battle between jobs versus the environment. This is a proposal to protect wild and endangered fish.
We applaud Governor Kitzhaber for recognizing this key conservation issue and for initiating much-needed action to ensure a balanced and sustainable future for the Columbia River.
Take action now and sign the petition.