Oregon Measure 81, Prohibit Commercial Gillnet Fishing in Columbia River Initiative (2012)

Oregon Measure 81
Election date November 6, 2012
Topic Fisheries and fishing regulations
Status Defeated
Type Initiated state statute	Origin Citizens

Oregon Measure 81 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Oregon on November 6, 2012. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported prohibiting non-tribal Oregon commercial fishers from using gillnets to catch salmon in the mainstem of the lower Columbia River.

A "no" vote opposed prohibiting non-tribal Oregon commercial fishers from using gillnets to catch salmon in the mainstem of the lower Columbia River.

Election results

Oregon Measure 81
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		567,996	34.62%
No		1,072,614	65.38%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

The certified ballot title was:

Restricts Oregon's non-tribal commercial salmon fishers to designated off-channel areas in lower Columbia River

Result of "Yes" Vote: "Yes" vote prohibits commercial salmon fishing with gillnets by non-tribal Oregon fishers, except in specifically designated off-channel areas located in the lower Columbia River.

Result of "No" Vote: "No" vote retains laws allowing commercial fishing under limited number of permits by Oregon/Washington non-tribal fishers in Columbia River mainstream, up to Bonneville Dam.

Summary: Currently, non-tribal Oregon commercial fishers may catch salmon in Columbia River only with gillnets, only in areas below Bonneville Dam. Current law recognizes Washington gillnet licenses as valid in both Oregon/Washington waters of Columbia River. Measure prohibits commercial gillnet salmon fishing by Oregon non-tribal fishers except in specifically designated areas outside mainstream of lower Columbia River: Youngs Bay, Tongue Point/South Channel, Blind Slough/Knappa Slough; Fish and Wildlife Commission may designate additional areas meeting specified criteria. Measure would not prohibit Washington-permitted gillnet fishers from continuing to commercially fish in Washington waters of Columbia River; allows commission to permit Washington gillnet fishers to "land" fish in designated Oregon areas. Measure does not affect tribal fishing rights or rights to use gillnets. Other provisions.

Support

Chief petitioners included Senators Fred Girod and Rod Monroe, as well as David Schamp, chairman of the Oregon Coastal Conservation Association (dead link) chapter's board of directors.

Schamp said, "Oregon's failure to protect and enhance our wild salmon runs threatens the state's credibility as a leader in sustainability. Each year, taxpayers, electric utility rate payers and others collectively contribute about $1 billion to recovery efforts, yet wild salmon, an important natural and economic resource for our state, remain on the brink of extinction."

Opposition

Spokesperson for Salmon For All Cary Johnson argued that if the Oregon law changed, it would only apply to Oregon waters. "It would put Oregon fishermen out of business and allow Washington fishermen to continue business as usual," said Johnson.

Clatsop County Commissioners announced their opposition to the proposed measure on August 10, 2011.

Path to the ballot

See also: Oregon signature requirements

In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 87,213 valid signatures by July 6, 2012.

On Monday, July 2, supporters reportedly submitted 45,000 names to the Oregon Secretary of State, bringing the total submitted at the time to 134,000.

On July 17, 2012, the Secretary of State reported that the measure had been qualified for the ballot with 94,304 valid signatures.

See also

2012 Measures

• 2012 Measures
• Fisheries and fishing regulations on the ballot
• 2012 legislative sessions

Oregon

• Oregon ballot measures
• Oregon ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Initiative 21