Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries Hotline Message Number 10
Recorded Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 3:00 PM

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.

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.

Fishers should be aware Area 12A Quilcene Bay is closed for the season.

For the period of September 28th – October 4th 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 29th, 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 to reef nets:

• 5 AM to 9 PM daily, continuously through Saturday, November 15th.
• Sockeye, wild Chinook, wild coho and chum salmon must be released through Tuesday, September 30th.
• For fishers retaining marked Chinook, allowed through September 30th, immediate possession of a WDFW Logbook is required.
• After Tuesday, September 30th all Chinook and Sockeye must be released.
• 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.
• Sockeye must be released immediately

Area 8A Port Susan and Port Gardner will be open to the purse seine vessel SEA PRIDE only. Open hours are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday, September 29th. 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 28th to 8 AM Monday, September 29th.
• 6 PM Tuesday, September 30th to 8 AM Wednesday, October 1st.
• 6 PM Thursday, October 2nd to 8 AM Friday, October 3rd.

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

• 7 AM to 7 PM on Monday, September 29th.
• 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.