WA/OR Lower Columbia River (includes tributaries) Drift Net Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries

Current Classification on the List of Fisheries

^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data.  The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible.  If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used.  NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.

*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).

¹ Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.

Basis for Current Classification

Classified as a Category III fishery based annual WA/OR coast harbor seal mortality and serious injury.

Distribution

The mainstem Columbia River non-treaty commercial drift net fishery historically occurred during multiple seasons (winter, spring, summer, and fall), primarily targeting Chinook (spring, summer, and fall stocks) and coho salmon from the mouth of the Columbia River upstream to Beacon Rock, Washington (approximately 140 river miles). The fishing area is divided into zones of which some, or all, may be open during a specific season. Closed areas exist at many tributary mouths. 

Due to changes in state policies, mainstem winter, spring and summer non-treaty tribal commercial fisheries have effectively not occurred since 2016. The fall fishery comprises both Chinook and coho-directed fisheries, with the Chinook-directed fishery currently constrained to Zones 4-5 (described above), and the coho-directed fishery occurring in Zones 1-3. Non-treaty tribal gillnet fisheries occur throughout the year in Select Area fisheries located in-off-channel areas of the Lower Columbia River. Three sites exist on the Oregon side (Youngs Bay, Tongue Point/South Channel, and Knappa/Blind Sloughs) and one in Washington (Deep River).

Gear Description

The fall Zone 4-5 fishery is non-mark selective for Chinook and coho. Gear is limited to drift gillnets with a maximum length of 250 fathoms, and a maximum mesh size of 9¾ inches. Minimum mesh size varies in the fall with a 9-inch minimum mesh size commonly used in August and 8-inch commonly used in September. Recently, the fall coho-directed fishery has been under mark-selective regulations for coho utilizing live-capture techniques (small-mesh sizes, short net soak time, recovery boxes, live-capture training, etc.). Gear is limited to drift tangle nets with a maximum length of 150 fathoms, a maximum mesh size of 3¾ inches, and a maximum soak time of 30 minutes. Fishers are required to complete live-capture training before participating in this fishery. Typically, only hatchery coho and Chinook may be retained.

Management

This is a limited entry fishery, but permits are transferable if certain requirements are met. The fishery is managed by the states of Oregon and Washington within the Columbia River Compact process. Harvest limits are based on annual run sizes, ESA-take limits, hatchery escapement needs, and State policies directing sport-commercial sharing of the resource. Therefore, management occurs in coordination with the Pacific Fisheries Management Council process and take limits are set by NMFS. Chinook and coho salmon are the primary species harvested but shad and white sturgeon (when authorized) may also be harvested and sold. The harvest of steelhead, chum, and green sturgeon is prohibited.

Historical Information

Timeline of Changes