Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 12
Recorded Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 3:00 PM

The 2007 Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Regulation pamphlet was mailed the week of May 13th. If you have not received a copy please contact (360) 902-2700 and ask for a copy or check our web site where one may be downloaded at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/commregs/salregs.htm

On Wednesday, October 17th the second test catch of the Apple Cove Test Fishery yielded a total of 232 chum, 1 Coho, and 5 Chinook in 6 sets. There is not yet enough information to update the pre-season forecast of 408,000.

The season description published in the 2007 Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Regulation pamphlet remains in effect with the following adjustments:

For the period of October 21st – October 27th all areas are currently closed except as follows:

Area 6D Dungeness Bay will be open to skiff gill nets using 5 – inch minimum mesh size from 7 AM to 7 PM daily, beginning Monday October 22nd through Friday, October 26th. All Chinook and chum salmon must be released by cutting the meshes ensnaring the fish.

Areas 7 and 7A San Juan Islands and Point Roberts are open for reef nets 5 AM to 9 PM daily, continuously through Saturday, November 17th. Chinook and sockeye must be released at all times. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Areas 7 and 7A San Juan Islands and Point Roberts will be open to gill nets using 6 ¼ -inch minimum mesh from 12:00 Noon to Midnight beginning Monday, October 22nd through Saturday, October 27th. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Areas 7 and 7A San Juan Islands and Point Roberts will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from 7 AM to 3:15 PM for vessels without an operating recovery box and 7 AM to 6 PM for vessels with an operating recovery box dates beginning Monday, October 22nd through Saturday, October 27th. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Brailing is required and all Chinook and coho must be released and if injured or lethargic, placed in the recovery box for release after they have recovered. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Area 7B Bellingham Bay is open continuously to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size through 8 PM November 3rd, and to purse seines using the 5-inch strip continuously through 6 PM November 3rd.

All gears must release Sockeye immediately.

Area 8A Port Susan and Port Gardner will be open to gill nets using 6 ¼ -inch minimum mesh from 8 AM to 8 PM on:

• Tuesday, October 23rd
• Thursday, October 25th
• Friday, October 26th

Area 8A Port Susan and Port Gardner will be open to all purse seine vessels using the 5-inch strip from 7 AM to 6 PM Monday, October 22nd. Chinook must be released.

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size from 8 AM to 8 PM on:

• Thursday, October 25th
• Friday, October 26th

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from 7 AM to 6 PM on:

• Tuesday, October 23rd
• Thursday, October 25th

  Chinook must be released.

Area 9A Port Gamble Bay is open to gill nets and skiff gill nets limited to 600 feet in length and 60 meshes in depth using 5-inch minimum mesh size continuously until 8 PM Saturday, November 3rd. All Chinook and chum salmon must be released by cutting the meshes ensnaring the fish.

Areas 10 and 11 Seattle and Tacoma will be open to gill nets using 6 ¼ -inch minimum mesh during the following dates and times:

• 4 PM Sunday evening, October 21st to 7 AM Monday morning, October 22nd.
  
• 5 PM Tuesday evening, October 23rd to 9 AM Wednesday morning, October 24th.

Areas 10 and 11 Seattle and Tacoma will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Monday, October 22nd. Chinook and coho must be released.

Areas 12 and 12B Hood Canal will be open to gill nets using 61/4-inch minimum mesh from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on:

• Wednesday, October 24th
• Thursday, October 25th

Areas 12 and 12B Hood Canal will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Monday, October 22nd. Chinook must be released.

If you suspect an error in this message or have questions please contact Jeromy Jording at (360) 902-2717.