Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider proposed 2027 groundfish regulations that would allow recreational and commercial fishing of yelloweye rockfish for the first time in more than 20 years, following a recovery declaration from decades of restoration efforts.
The regulations would allow recreational fishers to retain one yelloweye rockfish during May, and would establish limited commercial fishing opportunities for the species as well. The Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote on the proposals at its Dec. 11 meeting in Salem.
Most other proposed nearshore groundfish regulations would remain unchanged from 2026, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency also proposed increasing the commercial nearshore fishery's bimonthly cabezon vessel limit from 2,000 pounds to 2,500 pounds, and closing the commercial subtidal bay clam fishery in Yaquina Bay after a 2026 survey found a significant decline in subtidal gaper clam biomass compared to 2019.
The Commission will also consider purchasing approximately 255 acres adjacent to the Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area. The property, a privately owned parcel surrounded by public lands, would create a continuous stretch of publicly accessible land on both sides of the Deschutes River from river mile 17.5 to mile 14.
The public has until Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. to submit written comments on the proposals. Testimony will be accepted at the Dec. 11 meeting, both in-person and remotely. Individuals wishing to provide virtual testimony must register by Dec. 9 at 8 a.m.