The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission declined to increase the number of commercial fishing permits for Oregon sea urchins during its Feb. 14 meeting, but did adopt changes to its sport fishing regulations.
The Commission heard testimony from staff to consider a set of changes to accommodate public interest in three activities: commercial harvest of purple sea urchins for the retail seafood market; culling of sea urchins to assist with the conservation of seaweeds and kelp; and recreational harvest of purple sea urchins for personal use.
Regarding a proposal to establish 24 new commercial take permits, the Commission voted to maintain status quo and not establish a new commercial purple sea urchin permit system. It also voted to revise regulations to allow the department to issue a Letter of Authorization for controlled culling of red and purple sea urchins within three priority sites.
Additionally, the Commission voted unanimously to revise the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the Marine Zone to allow a daily catch limit of 35 purple sea urchins per person per day.