REEF NET FISHING

The term selective fishing has been used to describe any of several fishing gears and management objectives, yet at its most basic definition a selective fishery is one in which bycatch is avoided altogether or able to be released alive and unharmed. As the Department of Fish & Wildlife has experimented with selective commercial fishing gear and moved toward selective fishing practices in recreational fishing, reef nets stand out as the original and still the best in selective fishing.

Practiced by the Indians of the Puget Sound region using materials gathered locally, reef nets are unique to the area. Modern materials and hydraulics have improved efficiency but the basic methods remain the same. Reef nets do not gill or surround salmon with a net. Rather they count on natural and manmade structures to lead the salmon into a shallow laid net which is then lifted and the fish spilled into holding pens.

Minimal handling and stress coupled with the ability to keep the fish alive make reef nets the most selective fishing gear available. Reef nets are fixed to one location and only catch migrating adult salmon that swim through their gear. For years reef nets have released non-target salmon species when management needs dictate. Mortality and bycatch are lower than any other fishing gear. Today reef nets are used in northern Puget Sound, targeting sockeye and pink salmon during summer months and coho and chum salmon during the fall.