Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment on the recently released DRAFT of the Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (RSP).

Since ODFW’s new management plan for the South Coast fails to adequately provide the fishery and wild steelhead population monitoring necessary to establish accurate harvest rates, catch-and-release impacts, annual returns of adult wild steelhead, sustainable escapement goals, genetic interactions with hatchery fish, spawning numbers, juvenile fish counts, or even properly establish a course of action when conservation thresholds are met, I believe it is critical the Department pause the harvest of wild steelhead until comprehensive, multi-year population estimates and understandings of angling impacts are in place.

Currently, ODFW fishery managers lack the crucial population, angler effort and harvest rate data necessary to responsibly allow harvest of wild steelhead in these rivers. Unfortunately, the draft RSP does not provide the mechanisms, investments, and protocols required to correct these vast information gaps. Therefore, I support the Department moving forward with “Alternative A - Catch and Release” regulations for wild steelhead on the South Coast Oregon watersheds governed by this Conservation and Management Plan (RSP).

Importantly, I believe this critical angling regulation option must be presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for full consideration when the final RSP is delivered for a vote to establish new policy governing the South Coast.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Wild steelhead are an important part of the culture and economy of Oregon’s beautiful South Coast, and local communities are the first to suffer when populations collapse. Fishery managers must take their responsibilities seriously and take steps now to protect future fishing opportunities and wild steelhead populations in Southern Oregon watersheds.