Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 12
Recorded Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 1:00 AM

The 2008 Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Regulation pamphlet was mailed the week of June 15th. 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/fishing/commercial/salmon/

This web address is listed on pages 1 and 40 of the pamphlet. Please check it regularly for updated information regarding Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries.

Fishers are reminded that a Fish Friendly certification card is required to participate in any Areas 7 or 7A commercial salmon fisheries. The next available course will be on Tuesday, September 9th, starting 11 AM at the North Puget Sound - Region 4 Office, located at 16018 Mill Creek Boulevard, Mill Creek, Washington 98012. Contact Jeromy Jording at (360) 902-2717 if you plan to attend this workshop, as space is limited.

The first test catch of the Apple Cove Test Fishery was conducted on Thursday, October 9th and a total of 902 chum, 53 Coho, and 0 Chinook were landed in 6 sets. There is not yet enough information to update the pre-season forecast of 515,000. Next week’s results will be posted on the previously mentioned website and reported here on the hotline.

Fishers should retain all Atlantic Salmon caught anytime during any opening. Use species code 047 when filling out a Puget Sound Fish Ticket for all Atlantic salmon.

For the period of October 12th – October 18th all areas are currently closed except as follows:

For the period of October 5th – October 11th 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, Monday through Friday each week continuing through Friday, October 24th.
• 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 for reef nets 5 AM to 9 PM daily:

• Continuously through Saturday, November 15th.
• Chinook must be released at all times.
• Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Areas 7 and 7A San Juan Islands and Point Roberts will be open to gill nets using 6-¼ inch minimum mesh daily from 7 AM to Midnight on the following dates:

• Wednesday, October 15th
• Thursday, October 16th
• Friday, October 17th
• Saturday, October 18th

  Soak times are limited to 45 minutes from first web in to last web out. Recovery boxes are required and must be operating at all times to participate. Chinook and coho must be released and if injured or lethargic, placed in the recovery box for release after they have recovered. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Areas 7 and 7A San Juan Islands and Point Roberts will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip daily from 7 AM to 6 PM on the following dates:

• Wednesday, October 15th
• Thursday, October 16th
• Friday, October 17th
• Saturday, October 18th

  Brailing and recovery boxes are required and must be operating at all times to participate. Chinook and coho must be released and if injured or lethargic, placed in the recovery box for release after they have recovered. Fishers must have a Fish Friendly certification card within their immediate possession.

Area 7B Bellingham Bay is open to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh size continuously through 8 PM November 1st, and to purse seines using the 5-inch strip continuously through 6 PM November 1st.

Area 8A Port Susan and Port Gardner will be open to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh from 7 AM to 8 PM on the following dates:

• Tuesday, October 14th.
• Thursday, October 16th.
• And from 7 AM to 4 PM on Friday, October 17th.

Area 8A Port Susan and Port Gardner will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from:

• 7 AM to 6 PM Monday, October 13th.
• Chinook must be released.

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to gill nets using 5-inch minimum mesh from 7 AM to 8 PM on Thursday, October 16th and from 7 AM to 4 PM on Friday, October 17th.

Area 8D Tulalip Bay will be open to purse seines using the 5-inch strip from:

• 7 AM to 6 PM Monday, October 13th.
• 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 PM Saturday, November 1st.
• All Chinook and chum salmon must be released by cutting the meshes ensnaring the fish.

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