May 9, 2008
Action: Close the Ringold Area Bank Fishery for hatchery spring chinook
Effective date: May 12, 2008 until further notice
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (RSRF) in Franklin Co. from the WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers ½ mile upstream of Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet).
Reason for action: The upriver run size has been downgraded to 180,000 fish, compared to the preseason forecast of 269,300. Incidental mortalities to upriver spring Chinook that are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from non-Indian fisheries are projected to be achieved at that run size. Although the Ringold sport fishery is mark-selective for adipose clipped Chinook released from Ringold and anglers handle very few of these ESA-listed fish, the closure is necessary to comply with the ESA limits.
Information contacts: Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River Policy Coordinator, (360) 906-6708 (Vancouer); Heather Bartlett, Fish Management Div. Manager, (360 902-2662 Olympia), Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).
Effective date: May 12, 2008 until further notice
Species affected: Chinook salmon
Location: Waters of the Columbia River adjacent to Ringold Springs Rearing Facility (RSRF) in Franklin Co. from the WDFW markers ¼ mile downstream of the Ringold irrigation wasteway outlet to the markers ½ mile upstream of Ringold Springs Creek (hatchery outlet).
Reason for action: The upriver run size has been downgraded to 180,000 fish, compared to the preseason forecast of 269,300. Incidental mortalities to upriver spring Chinook that are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from non-Indian fisheries are projected to be achieved at that run size. Although the Ringold sport fishery is mark-selective for adipose clipped Chinook released from Ringold and anglers handle very few of these ESA-listed fish, the closure is necessary to comply with the ESA limits.
Information contacts: Cindy LeFleur, Columbia River Policy Coordinator, (360) 906-6708 (Vancouer); Heather Bartlett, Fish Management Div. Manager, (360 902-2662 Olympia), Paul Hoffarth, District 4 Fish Biologist, (509) 545-2284 (Pasco) or John Easterbrooks, Regional Fish Program Manager, (509) 457-9330 (Yakima).