Yellowtail Rockfish Fishery

We have some exciting news for you.  An Experimental Fishery Program is in the works for Yellowtail Rockfish.  The program is being authorized and permited by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and will be administered by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).  It is a test fishery conducted outside the 40 fathom curve using specialized terminal gear to minimize or eliminate the impact on sensitive species such as Yelloweye and Widow Rockfish. The gear will set up in such a way that the hooks will be kept 30 to 60 feet above the bottom. All the boats participating will be permited by NMFS with RFA having the authority to issue or revoke those permits. Ten permits have been issued coast wide and Dockside's own SAMSON is the only boat in Depoe Bay with a permit.

Permits have been issued based on the individual owner/captain history of successful participation with prior fishery management monitoring and special projects.

This is fishing in the name of science  and should be of interest to the serious fisherman.  A PSFMC certified observer will be on board on every trip.  The bag limit is 15 fish per fisherman with all Yellowtail Rockfish being retained by the fisherman and any sensitive species (Yelloweye or Widow Rockfish) retained by the observer for further work in the lab.  This EFP is slated to last 12 or as many as 18 months.  If this EFP proves effective in allowing the catch of Yellowtail without impacting sensitive species it could mean the opening of a whole new specialized fishery.

Trips should start in late spring.  There will be a maximum of twelve fishermen per trip.  Rates are projected be $120.00/fisherman for a six to eight hour trip.

As the owner/operator of the SAMSON Lars Robison is excited to be able to participate in this EFP.  We will let you know as soon as more details are available.