Imagery Available: Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary to patrol Columbia River as the annual salmon run ramps up

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/17/2018 04:54 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest
Contact: 13th District Public Affairs
Office: (206) 220-7237
After Hours: (206) 819-9154
13th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary to patrol Columbia River as the annual salmon run ramps up

A Coast Guard Auxiliary member passes out boating safety information to a boater preparing to launch his personal fishing vessel at the boat launch in the Port of Chinook, Wash., Aug 17, 2018. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Command personnel watch Coast Guard Auxiliary members inspect a personal fishing vessel about to launch at the Port of Chinook, Wash., Aug. 17, 2018. Capt. Jeremy Smith, commander Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, Cmdr. Sean Cashell, chief of reponse Sector Columbia River and Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel discuss Buoy 10 enforcement and safety operations at the boat ramp near the Port of Ilwaco, Wash., Aug. 17, 2018.

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

Media interested in going on a Buoy 10 patrol can schedule a time by contacting Petty Officer 1st Class

Levi Read at 206-819-9154

WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary are conducting routine patrols on the Columbia River as the Buoy 10 salmon season ramps up this weekend with the annual salmon derby scheduled for Saturday.

 

Coast Guard crewmembers from Station Cape Disappointment in conjunction with Station Portland, Station Grays Harbor, Station Tillamook, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and local law enforcement are increasing their operational posture in preparation for the thousands of recreational boaters who come to the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean for the annual Coho salmon run commonly known as Buoy 10.

 

The rise in recreational and commercial fishing vessel activity during the summer months rises between Buoy 10, which is located at the entrance of the Columbia River upriver to the Bonneville Dam. Boat crews from all the stations on the North Coast of Oregon and southern coast of Washington in partnerships with local and county law enforcement will have teams on patrol. Also patrolling will be a crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin, an 87-foot patrol boat visiting from Bellingham, Washington.

 

The patrols are to ensure boaters are meeting required safety regulations (charter, recreational, and commercial), enforcing applicable fishing regulations, and inland Navigation Rule 9 are followed.

 

Inland Navigational Rule 9 is a rule that allows small recreational boats to share the waterway with large commercial vessels. Small boat operators must not impede the movement of vessels that are restricted to operating in a narrow channel. Enforcing this rule will be one of the big focuses of the multi-agency safe boating operation that will continue through September as the salmon fishery opens up fishing upriver to St. Helens, Oregon and Longview, Washington.

 

The focus of the patrols is always to provide boating safety education to the boaters through the enforcement of state and federal regulations. The patrolling agencies will provide education for safe operations on the water and required safety equipment.

 

Points of emphasis for our crews will be to ensure that unlawful fishing gear isn’t used and to enforce closed and open areas that will change throughout the season. Commercial and recreational fishermen must use single point barbless hooks.

 

-USCG-