Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 9
Recorded Friday, September 28th, 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 30rd – October 6th 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 October 1st, 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.
• Chum and wild coho must be released prior to October 1st.
• Chinook, and sockeye must be released at all times.
• 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 8:00 PM November 3rd, and to purse seines using the 5-inch strip continuously through 6:00 PM November 3rd.

• All gears must release Sockeye immediately.
• Pink salmon are non-retention for fishers using purse seine gear.

Area 8A Port Susan and Port Gardner will be open to the purse seine vessels CONFIDENCE and ARLINE only. Open hours are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday, October 1st. Chinook must be released.

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 30th to 8 AM Monday, October 1st.
• 6 PM Tuesday, October 2nd to 8 AM Wednesday, October 3rd.
• 6 PM Thursday, October 4th to 8 AM Friday, October 5th.

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, October 1st. 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 is closed to fishing this week.