Illegal Gill Net Captain Caught in Astoria
Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife troopers cited an Astoria man on several commercial-fish-related charges after seizing 748 pounds of illegally caught chinook salmon on the Columbia River near the Willamette River. Troopers also seized an illegal 1,200-foot gillnet used to catch the fish.
On August 28, 2014, two OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers on nighttime boat patrol were conducting compliance checks on commercial gillnet fishermen on the Columbia River near the Willamette River. During the boat patrol the troopers were checking fishermen for proper licensing, gear and caught fish, and many commercial fishermen were found in compliance.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., the troopers checked a boat belonging to Duffy Duncan, age 66, from Astoria. While checking to ensure he was gillnetting in compliance with rules and regulations, the troopers determined his net mesh size was illegal and he was in possession of 44 chinook salmon caught in the unlawful net.
The troopers seized the 1,200-foot illegal net and all of the salmon that weighed 748 pounds. Duncan was issued citations for Commercial Fishing Prohibited Method (Mesh Size) and Unlawful Take/Possession of Commercially Caught Salmon (44 counts)
The seized salmon was delivered to a wholesale fish dealer and sold at the going rate of $2 per pound. The proceeds will go to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.
WDFW, RMEF and CCC Secure 2,893 Acres of Critical Habitat
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has partnered with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, and Washington Department of Ecology to secure 2,893 acres of critical wildlife habitat 15 miles northwest of Yakima.
“Conservation of key fish and wildlife habitat and securing public access are top priorities for the Department, and working with our partners is essential to achieving those goals,” said Mike Livingston, WDFW south central regional director.
The two land parcels serve as habitat to a variety of wildlife and as an important connection between summer and winter range for the Yakima elk herd and have been used historically for grazing. The properties will be managed as part of WDFW’s Oak Creek Wildlife Area.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation negotiated the deal with the landowner and paid for half of the cost of the land appraisal.
“We need to recognize and thank the private owners, the Tieton Cattle Association, which kept the native grasses and forbs in great condition while grazing their cattle on this same land during the summer,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of lands and conservation.
The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy paid the other half of the appraisal and will manage the grazing on the property through a grazing easement.
“It’s not often you get to protect nearly 3,000 acres of habitat and also protect a sustainable historic grazing operation that produces locally sourced grass-fed beef,” says Betsy Bloomfield, executive director of the conservancy. “The combination of habitat and recreation protection with a cultural legacy makes this a wonderful project, secured by the collaboration among great partners.”
The cost of the acquisition was $1.55 million. DOE and the Kennewick Irrigation District provided the funding to acquire the land to mitigate for the loss of shrub-steppe habitat that was converted to agricultural land. Funds also came from the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan through DOE.
“It’s gratifying that the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan partners are so focused on implementing the Plan and are bringing outside resources to achieve our goals,” said Derek Sandison, DOE’s director of the Office of Columbia River. “This project is a great example of implementing what we said we would do in the plan and working closely with community values and partners regarding how the plan is implemented.”
JD: I feel like money used to purchase land is a hell of a lot better than money spent years down the road to restore the same habitat.
Man Arrested After Shooting Boat Motor on Siuslaw River
Oregon State Police are seeking additional witnesses following the arrest of an 81-year-old man who fired a shotgun at a boat in the 6000 block of Highway 126 east of Florence along the Siuslaw River.
On September 8, 2014 at approximately 1:32 p.m., two OSP troopers, a Lane County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and an officer from Confederate Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua Siuslaw Indians Police Department responded to a reported menacing at 67500 Highway 126 near Milepost 3. Initial investigation indicated that two men had boat trouble as they were in the Siuslaw River and rowed to a dock where they secured their aluminum drift boat. One of the men remained with the boat as the other walked to get a new battery.
After returning with their vehicle and trailer, the men loaded the boat and were getting ready to leave when the property owner, Eldon Nordahl, age 81, arrived on his boat and approached the men. After telling them not to leave, Nordhal went into his home and came out with a shotgun, firing one shot that penetrated the boat’s hull. As he was reloading, the men got in their vehicle and began driving away when a second round was fired, hitting the boat’s engine.
Subsequent to the investigation, OSP arrested Nordhal for Menacing, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Pointing a Firearm at a Person. A shotgun, rifle and ammunition were seized for evidence.
OSP troopers reported seeing several people in the river near the incident site that may have been witnesses. Any witnesses are asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888 to leave a message for contact from lead investigator, Recruit Trooper Candyce Fiddy.
JD: I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry! I’m telling you, salmon fishing brings out the worst in people, including landowners that don’t even fish. Sometimes people should look at the big picture and not worry about the small things like a few guys tying up to your dock because they’re in trouble. Other times you have to shoot their motor. The hard part is knowing when to do what.