Sport fishing for halibut in Westport area will be open seven days a week

June 13, 2003

Action: Recreational halibut fishing in Marine Catch Area 2 will be open for halibut fishing seven days a week.

Effective date: 12:01 a.m. June 27, 2003

Species affected: Pacific halibut

Location: Marine Catch Area 2 (Westport)

Reason for action: There is sufficient quota of halibut to liberalize season dates (from five days a week to seven days a week), allowing halibut fishing on Fridays and Saturdays.

Other information: Marine Areas 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are also open to all sport crabbing, seven days per week. The southern portion of Marine Area 8-2 opened on May 16, Fridays through Mondays. Catch projections indicate the sport quota in this area will be taken by August 11, at which time the area is anticipated to close to sport harvesting at 9 p.m. The recreational crab fishery in the northern portion of Marine Area 8-2, north of a line from Camano Head to Sandy Point, and all of Marine Area 8-1 opened on June 6 at 7:00 a.m., on a Friday through Monday schedule. Catch projections indicate the sport quota in this area will be taken by Sept. 2, at which time the area is anticipated to close to sport harvesting at 8 p.m. Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2 could reopen for winter harvest opportunities if additional quota remains, based on September catch record card survey data. Marine Area 6, the Straits of Juan de Fuca will open June 22. All open areas mentioned above have a six-crab daily limit. The eastern and northern part Marine Area 7 is currently closed to sport crabbing and testing is being conducted there. Fishers are reminded to record their Dungeness crab catch on their catch record card immediately when crab are kept.

Information contact: Michell Robinson (360) 249-4628

Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW "Fishing in Washington" rules pamphlet for details on definitions and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing-hotlines to find a list of mobile, web, print, or customer service phone options for the latest rule information.

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-885-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.