Oregon Coast Anglers met at the Marina Activity Center in Winchester Bay on April 7th. The meeting started at 6:30 PM and forty three members and friends were in attendance. Leif Rasmuson, ODFW Marine Biologist was our Guest Speaker. Leif provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding his Black Rockfish Oregon coast-wide survey. He described the methodology and science used in the survey, which included the use of precision fish finders, acoustics, video cameras and hook and line. Vital information about each fish (>500) is recorded and stored in a massive database for analysis, which won’t be completed until September of this year. His findings will be submitted to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and become part of the Black Rockfish Assessment in 2023. Leif’s presentation was followed by a presentation by Katlyn Haven, ODFW Marine Biologist from Coos Bay regarding how to determine the sex of rockfish. OCA members listened intently to the presentations, learned a lot about rockfish and asked numerous questions. We were very appreciative of Leif and Katlyn for their time and very informative presentations.
Treasurer’s Report; Beverly Lund OCA Treasurer reported that OCA had $12,138.00 in the OCA checking account.
Old Business; The OCA Christmas Trees for Salmon Project was completed with the help of Reedsport High School students. This is a fish habitat project that involves the community and from an educational vantage point, students.
The OCA Fish Dinner was enjoyed by all those who participated. There remained a question regarding the waitress’s tip. Members voted unanimously to pay the two waitresses $100.00 each, as the resolution.
The Lower Umpqua Fly Casters Exposition was a huge success. OCA participated with our own table of fishing information and your president tied flies. OCA gained four new members, as a result of our participation.
New Business; We discussed an opportunity for an OCA bottom fishing trip on the Betty Kay out of Charleston. Fifteen member expressed interest. I will contact the Betty Kay owners regarding date possibilities, as well as cost.
The next OCA event is Clatsop Beach Razor clamming. A number of OCA members are planning for the May minus tides (May 15 – 20) to dig Razor Clams. Many of us have reservations at Fort Stevens, and there are opportunities to stay in other local accommodations. Typical clamming gear will be displayed at the OCA May 5th meeting.
OCA currently has five applicants for the OCA Conservation Scholarships. The deadline for applications is April 22nd. OCA Directors will make their choices and announcements will be made at the OCA May meeting.
Salmon alternatives for this year’s ocean salmon season were discussed. We will know officially at the end of April, but at this point there is a lot of support for Alternative 1, which would provide a June 18th start date for ocean hatchery Coho.
The OCA Banquet is scheduled for July 23rd. Members were asked to get donations for raffles and silent auctions. I’m looking for suggestions regarding the dinner menu. Please reply to this email with your suggestions.
The ODFW Summer Steelhead Public Input meeting, March 29th in Roseburg was largely attended by Steamboaters, Native Fish Society and others who would like to eliminate summer Steelhead hatchery fish. I may have been the only participant who supported hatchery fish!
The OCA donation jar at the Winchester Bay Market was stolen. It was full and may have contained as much as $130. There is no way to secure the donation jar at the market and it was decided to stop collecting donations at the market. Rick Beck the owner of Winchester Bay Market is an avid supporter of OCA, and I am thankful for his support.
Three new members joined OCA at the meeting. Welcome Fred Babcock, Lakeside, Bill Werremeyer, Bandon and our youngest member Jordan Doty, Bandon.
The meeting concluded with a raffle. Congratulations to Paul Osekowsky who won the bottom fishing rod and reel and Mike Kelly who won the 50/50 ($80).
We will meet again on May 5th, and a major topic of discussion will be the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Wind Farm Call Areas along the south coast of Oregon.