Joint Staff Report Concerning Commercial Seasons for Sturgeon and Smelt in 2004

This report describes winter season sturgeon and smelt fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River and includes summaries of stock status, current management plans and guidelines, and past management actions and strategies. Additionally, this report contains information concerning smelt abundances and fisheries in Columbia River tributaries. Fisheries and season proposals described in this report will be considered at a public hearing of the Columbia River Compact to be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday December 19, 2003 at the Water Resources Education Center located at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, Washington. The purpose of this hearing is to consider fishing seasons for the commercial harvest of sturgeon and smelt within the mainstem Columbia River. This report has been reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC functions under U.S. v. Oregon and is comprised of biologists from state and federal fish management agencies and the Columbia River treaty Indian tribes.