Oregon gillnetter cited for multiple violations

ASTORIA, Ore. – An Oregon gillnetter was caught in the Columbia River with an illegal net and more than 100 sturgeon, some too small, some possibly too large, and way too many in any case, Washington state officers said.

Capt. Mike Cenci of Washington's fish and wildlife enforcement division said the net was 280 feet longer than the allowable 1,500 feet. The limit for fish on deck is seven, between 48 and 60 inches long.

"(Gillnetters) are allowed to have extra fish on their deck legitimately for a period of time while they're working the net," said Cenci. "If they put a couple on the deck for a few moments, we understand that, but to get to the point where you've stockpiled over 100 fish, that's ridiculous."

Officers found the man on the Oregon side of the river during a routine patrol and seized the net Aug. 16. The gillnetter paid $1,000 to get it back, and the fish were returned to the river.

"Most were in poor condition and stressed," said Cenci, who was involved in the net seizure. "Sturgeon are pretty hardy, but there's only so much they can handle."

Oregon and Washington fish and wildlife authorities have joint jurisdiction on the river.

Cenci said a citation is pending and the man's name would be released when it is issued.

The use of an oversized commercial net requires a court appearance and can bring a fine of $5,000 and a year in jail. The unlawful possession of commercially caught fish can be settled with a $1,618 fine.

Cenci said such cases give gillnetters a bad name.

But Astoria gillnetter Jim Wells said the man only wanted to keep the sturgeon out of his nets while he fished for salmon.

He said there is not even a market for small sturgeon.

Cenci said gillnetters do face challenges.

"Sometimes they get into more fish than they anticipate," he said. "But they still have an obligation to treat those fish in a manner that preserves their survivability."