Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 9
Recorded Friday, September 18, 2009 at 8:00 AM

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 Area 12A Quilcene Bay will be closed to gillnet fishing beginning September 20th.  PLEASE BE AWARE.

For the period of September 20th – September 26th 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 September 21st, Monday through Friday each week continuing through Friday, October 23rd.   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 to reef nets 5 AM to 9 PM daily (beginning Friday, September 18th), continuously through Saturday, November 14th.  Sockeye, Pink, wild Chinook, wild coho, and chum salmon must be released through Wednesday, September 30th.  After September 30th Sockeye, Pink, and all Chinook salmon, must be released.  Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession, and for fishers retaining hatchery Chinook, which is allowed till October 1st, immediate possession of a WDFW Logbook is also required.

Area 7B Bellingham Bay will be open to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size continuously starting 7AM Sunday, September 20th, through 8 PM October 31st, and to purse seines using the 5-inch strip starting 7 AM Sunday, September 20th, continuously through 6 PM October 31st.

Gillnet fishing inside Hale Passage is closed during September; as described on page 27 in the regulation pamphlet.

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 during September.

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 20th to 8 AM Monday, September 21st.
• 6 AM to 9 PM Tuesday, September 22nd.
• 6 AM to 9 PM Wednesday, September 23rd.

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from 7 AM to 7 PM on Monday, September 21st.  Chinook must be released.

Area 9A Port Gamble Bay is open to 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, 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 daily from 7 AM to 7 PM, beginning Sunday, September 20th continuing each day through Friday, September 25th.  All Chinook and chum salmon must be released.

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