Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 8
Recorded Thursday, September 21th, 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

Fishers are reminded that a Fish Friendly certification card will be required to participate in any Area 7 or 7A commercial salmon fisheries. Contact Jeromy Jording at (360) 902-2717 if you need to attend a workshop to get a card. Area 7 and 7A sockeye and pink fisheries are not posted on this hotline check the National Marine Fisheries Hotline at (888) 858-9319.

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

For the period of September 23rd – September 29th 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily, beginning September 24, Monday through Friday each week continuing 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 is open for reef nets 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, continuously through Saturday, November 17th. Chinook, sockeye, chum, and wild coho must be released. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Area 7B Bellingham Bay will be open starting Sunday, September 23, 7AM to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size continuously through 8:00 PM November 3rd, and starting Sunday, September 23, 7AM to purse seines using the 5-inch strip continuously through 6:00 PM November 3rd.

Sockeye must be released immediately.

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to gill nets using 5 – inch minimum mesh size during the following dates and times:

• 6 PM Sunday, September 23rd to 8 AM Monday, September 24th.
• 6 PM Tuesday, September 25th to 8 AM Wednesday, September 26th.
• 6 PM Thursday, September 27th to 8 AM Friday, September 28th.

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Monday, September 24th. 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 8:00 PM Saturday, November 3rd. All chinook and chum salmon must be released by cutting the meshes ensnaring the fish.

Area 12A Quilcene Bay will be closed to fishing this week.