Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 7
Recorded Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 12:30 PM

The 2009 Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Regulation pamphlet was mailed the week of July 12th. 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 (360) 902-2717 if you need to attend a workshop to get a card. For the most current information on Areas 7 or 7A sockeye fisheries check the National Marine Fisheries Hotline at (800) 662-9825.

ACTION ALERT: Fishers need to be aware that Areas 7 and 7A San Juan Islands and Point Roberts will be closed effective 11:59 PM September 10th to commercial fishing.  PLEASE BE AWARE.  You can confirm this information on the National Marine Fisheries Hotline at (800) 662-9825.

For the period of September 6th – September 12th all areas are currently closed except as follows:

Area 7B Bellingham Bay will be open to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size during the following dates and times:

• 7 AM Sunday, September 6th to 7 AM Monday, September 7th.
• 7 AM Tuesday, September 8th to 7 AM Wednesday, September 9th.
• 7 AM Thursday, September 10th to 7 AM Friday, September 11th.

Fishers are reminded that Hale Passage is closed to fishing for gillnets as described on page 27 in the regulation pamphlet.

Area 7B Bellingham Bay will be open to purse seines from 7 AM to 8 PM on Wednesday, September 9th. Brailing is required and all sockeye, chum, and pink salmon must be released immediately. Purse Seines operating inside the area as described in Map F on page 27 of the regulation pamphlet are also required to release all coho while fishing in this area.

Area 9A Port Gamble Bay will be open to skiff gill nets limited to 600 feet in length and 60 meshes in depth using 5-inch minimum mesh size from Sunday August 30th, at 6 AM, continuously until 8:00 PM Saturday, October 31st. All Chinook and chum salmon must be released by cutting the meshes ensnaring the fish.

Area 12A Quilcene Bay will be open to beach seines not to exceed 600 feet in length or 100 meshes in depth, or contain meshes of a size less than 3 inches or greater than 4 inches from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Monday, September 7th and Tuesday, September 8th. All Chinook and chum salmon must be released.

Area 12A Quilcene Bay will be open to skiff gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size from 7 AM Wednesday, September 9th to 7 AM Thursday, September 10th. All Chinook and chum salmon must be released by cutting the meshes ensnaring the fish. Fishers need to be aware that area 12A is closed to gillnets south of line running east from Point Whitney to Tabook Point.

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