Fall Salmon Forecasts to Be Unveiled Feb. 27

By The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.

Feb. 8–OLYMPIA — Initial fall chinook and coho salmon forecasts for Washington and northern Oregon in 2007 will be unveiled on Feb. 27.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will start the annual salmon season process beginning at 9 a.m. in room No. 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E.

After the forecasts are presented, participants will split into groups to discuss Puget Sound, coastal and Columbia River issues.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will meet March 5 to 9 in Sacramento to adopt three options for sport and commercial fishing along the Washington, Oregon and northern California coasts.

On March 12, a discussion on Columbia River fisheries is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way.

The council will adopt seasons for 2007 on April 2 to 6 in Seattle.

State wildlife director Jeff Koenings said the seasons will be developed to give fishermen opportunities yet without jeopardizing weak stocks.

The process is known as “north of Falcon,” because it involves fish which spend their time in the ocean north of Cape Falcon in Oregon.

More detailed information can be found online at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/northfalcon/index.htm

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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