July 26, 2012
Action: Close Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push) to recreational bottomfish fishing.
Effective date: 12:01 a.m., Sept. 4, 2012
Species affected: All species of bottomfish including lingcod
Location: Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
Reason for action: Catch estimates indicate that the Washington recreational yelloweye rockfish federal harvest quota has been reached. Yelloweye rockfish are an overfished species managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) under a rebuilding plan. The rebuilding plan allows for a small amount of catch in the recreational fishery to account for incidental impacts to yelloweye rockfish when anglers are targeting health resources. A significant amount of the yelloweye incidental catch in Washington occurs along north coast where encounters with yelloweye rockfish are higher than in other areas.
Information contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-4628 ext. 202
Effective date: 12:01 a.m., Sept. 4, 2012
Species affected: All species of bottomfish including lingcod
Location: Marine Area 3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
Reason for action: Catch estimates indicate that the Washington recreational yelloweye rockfish federal harvest quota has been reached. Yelloweye rockfish are an overfished species managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) under a rebuilding plan. The rebuilding plan allows for a small amount of catch in the recreational fishery to account for incidental impacts to yelloweye rockfish when anglers are targeting health resources. A significant amount of the yelloweye incidental catch in Washington occurs along north coast where encounters with yelloweye rockfish are higher than in other areas.
Information contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-4628 ext. 202