That news comes in the draft Oregon Coastal Coho Assessment, which the state
released this week for review and comment by the National Marine Fisheries
Service (NOAA Fisheries), the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team, the
Coastal Coho Stakeholder Team and the public.
The draft assessment concludes that the Oregon Coast Coho Evolutionarily
Significant Unit is biologically viable and will likely persist into the
foreseeable future. Many of the historical factors that led to coastal coho
decline have been halted, and conservation efforts are effectively addressing
most ongoing threats.
“Coastal coho are an Oregon icon,” said Governor Theodore Kulongoski. “I
am pleased that our conservation efforts are helping these remarkable fish turn
the corner. Oregonians are committed to healthy fish and watersheds, and the
healthy communities these resources support. It is exciting to see the fruits of
our labor as we continue these commitments.”
A state cabinet-level effort began in late 2003 to determine the status of
coastal coho and the success of actions under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and
Watersheds in meeting the needs of the fish. Comments on the assessment will
help shape the final
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| Coastal coho are an Oregon icon |
| Governor Ted Kulongoski |
|
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report submitted to NOAA Fisheries in April.
The federal government is scheduled to decide this summer whether coastal coho
need continued protection under the Endangered Species Act. Regardless of that
decision, the state and NOAA Fisheries will continue to develop a full
conservation plan for the species.
The draft assessment relies on a definition of “recovery” for anadromous
salmonid populations enacted by the Oregon Legislature in 2003 and, which is
consistent with federal ESA requirements.
“I am gratified that the Legislature played a key role in this success story,
first by enacting the Oregon Plan and later by defining the criteria for
evaluation of what ‘recovery’ is,” said Representative Bob Jenson,
R-Pendleton, chair of the House Water Committee.
In the 1990s, coho faced the worst challenges to their survival in the past 50
years, in large part due to unprecedented poor ocean conditions, as well as past
harvest and hatchery management practices and habitat loss. Extensive Oregon
Plan monitoring efforts allowed biologists to “listen” to the fish,
revealing the species’ remarkable resiliency during the downturn and the
ability to rebound quickly once ocean conditions
|
| I am gratified that the Legislature
played a key role in this success story, first by enacting the Oregon
Plan and later by defining the criteria for evaluation of what
‘recovery’ is. |
| Representative Bob Jenson,
R-Pendleton |
|
|
improved. Significant changes in management practices related to harvest and
hatcheries, along with ongoing habitat protection and restoration measures,
contributed to the coho’s comeback.
“This does not mean our work is done,” the governor said. “The draft
assessment also identifies continuing threats to the viability of Oregon coastal
coho populations. This analysis will help the state better target investments in
salmon and watershed restoration at ongoing threats.”
The state’s broader goal relates to conservation of the Oregon coastal coho
over the long term. A stakeholder team representing diverse interests will
continue to guide state and federal agencies’ work as Oregon shifts to
developing a conservation plan. The conservation plan will be consistent with
the Oregon Plan and the state’s Native Fish Conservation Policy, as well as
federal recovery plan guidelines.
The draft assessment is available online at http://www.oregon-plan.org.
The Governor’s Office will take written public comments through March 15 as
follows:
E-mail: teresa.trump@state.or.us
Fax: 503-378-3225
Mail: Coho Assessment, Governor’s Natural Resources Office, 900 Court St.,
Salem, OR 97301-4047.
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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for
non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
Source: Bend.com news sources
Posted: Wednesday, February 2, 2005
5:17 PM
Reference Code: AR-20975
