OAR 635-007-0502: Purpose of the Native Fish Conservation Policy

(1) The purpose of this policy is to ensure the conservation and recovery of native fish in Oregon. The policy focuses on naturally produced native fish. This focus is because naturally produced native fish are the primary basis for Endangered Species Act (ESA) delisting decisions and the foundation for long-term sustainability of native species and hatchery programs. Conservation of hatchery produced native fish is also important to maintain opportunities for fisheries and aid conservation of naturally produced fish. The Hatchery Management Policy describes conservation of hatchery produced native fish. (2) The intent of the Native Fish Conservation Policy is to provide a basis for managing hatcheries, fisheries, habitat, predators, competitors, and pathogens in balance with sustainable production of naturally produced native fish. The policy has three areas of emphasis. The first is defensive to ensure the avoidance of serious depletion of native fish. The second is more proactive to restore and maintain native fish at levels providing ecological and societal benefits. The third ensures that, consistent with native fish conservation, opportunities for fisheries and other societal resource uses are not unnecessarily constrained. This approach will allow Oregon to play a vital role in the recovery of ESA listed species and the prevention of future listings. (3) The policy embraces the case-by-case application of a wide range of conservation and utilization strategies tailored to individual watersheds and situations. Policy implementation will likely illustrate a variety of management approaches across the landscape, such as areas focused on hatchery programs complemented with areas where hatchery influences are avoided. (4) The policy shall be implemented through conservation plans. Plans shall be developed in collaboration with management partners and the public, and will identify the desired and existing status of native fish, key limiting factors, management options to address these factors, and monitoring required to evaluate success. The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, as well as other local and regional forums, shall provide the context for development, implementation and coordination of these plans. Existing rules shall guide management until conservation plans are completed.