Anglers’ Voices Heard on Oregon Legislation that Threatened Sportfishing and Fisheries Conservation
In 2011, anglers like you helped stop legislation (H.B. 2008) in the Oregon State Legislature that aimed to remove fishing regulations and conservation measures from non-native species, including many of Oregon's most popular sport fish like brown trout and largemouth bass. Due to overwhelming angler response, the Oregon legislature did not act on the bill before the legislature's deadline, rendering it ineligible for further consideration and preserving the sportfishing heritage in Oregon, which has an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion and supports over 11,000 Oregon jobs.
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The Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Commission manages the state’s fishery resources and implements conservation projects, establishing seasons, methods and bag limits for numerous recreational and commercial fisheries. Legislation introduced, and defeated, in 2011 would have prohibited the commission from “establishing bag limits, size restrictions or closed seasons” for any non-native fish. H.B. 2008 sought to stop the commission from undertaking any activity to protect or enhance some of Oregon’s most popular game fish species.
Many of Oregon’s most popular sport fish were introduced to Oregon’s waterways over 100 years ago and while not native to Oregon’s waterways, they have been essential fisheries for anglers for over 100 years. Removing management measures from these many species, including brown trout and largemouth bass, would dramatically reduce their numbers and inflict unnecessary damage to recreational fishing in Oregon by reducing the opportunity and the quality of the recreational fishing experience.
This legislation would have impacted both warm and cold water anglers, compromising Oregon’s entire fisheries management system and the recreational fishing economy.
Anglers Take Action
Hundreds of anglers sent messages to their state legislators in opposition to this legislation and their voices were heard. Thanks to KeepAmericaFishing™ angler advocates, the Oregon legislature is no longer considering this harmful bill.
