Or. Admin. R. 635-007-0504

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 6, June 1, 2024

Section 635-007-0504 - Key Elements of Native Fish Conservation Policy

(1) Naturally produced fish are foundational to the long-term sustainability of native fish species, hatchery programs, and fisheries in Oregon. Therefore, conservation of naturally produced native fish species in the geographic areas to which they are indigenous is the Department's principal obligation for fish management.

(2) The Native Fish Conservation Policy applies to all geographic areas within the State's jurisdiction.

(3) The Department shall manage native fish to meet the following objectives:

(a) To maintain and restore sustainable naturally produced native fish species living and reproducing successfully in their natural environments;

(b) To provide recreational, commercial, cultural, and aesthetic benefits of optimum native fish populations to present and future citizens; and

(c) To contribute benefits to their ecosystem such as carcass nutrients and food for other species.

(4) Hatcheries shall be used responsibly to help achieve the goals of this policy. The Hatchery Management Policy describes the hatchery tool and its range of applications, as well as additional guidance concerning the conservation and management of native hatchery produced fish. Other tools include but are not limited to the management of habitat, harvest, competitors, predators, and fish health.

(5) In restoring naturally produced native fish, and when weighing options for conservation action, the Department shall generally:

(a) Give priority to management actions that address and help remedy the primary factors of decline (i.e. limiting factors);

(b) Consider economic effects required by ORS 183.335(2)(b)(E); and

(c) Consider the potential for success.

(6) The Department shall manage for sustainability of naturally produced native fish at the level of the species management unit. In developing sustainability standards, the Department shall:

(a) Incorporate the importance of population structure within each species management unit, and

(b) Base the sustainability standards on biological attributes directly related to species performance, as described in OAR 635-007-0505(6).

(7) When faced with scientific uncertainty concerning fish management, including status assessments and the effectiveness of recovery strategies, the Department shall proceed with precautionary strategies scaled to the conservation risk. Less precautionary strategies may be allowed if:

(a) The Department determines that monitoring, evaluation and responsive management will keep biological risks within acceptable limits, or

(b) The Department implements specific research to address management uncertainties.

(8) The Department shall manage nonnative fish and hatchery based fisheries to optimize user benefits consistent with conservation of naturally produced native fish species.

Or. Admin. R. 635-007-0504

DFW 131-2002, f. & cert. ef. 11-22-02

Stat. Auth.: ORS 496.012 & 496.138

Stats. Implemented: ORS 496.171, 496.172, 496.176, 496.182, 496.430, 496.435, 496.445, 496.450, 496.455