March 16, 2007
March 16, 2007
Sport lingcod season opens March 17
in three ocean areas with new size limit
Action: Open sport lingcod in marine areas 1-3, March 17 through Oct. 13, 2007 seven days per week. The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches in all three marine areas. It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess bottomfish except sablefish and Pacific cod in Marine Area 2 seaward of a line approximating 30 fathoms, as defined by the following coordinates:
47°31.70 N lat. 124°37.03 W long.;
47°25.67 N lat. 124°34.79 W long.;
47°12.82 N lat. 124°29.12 W long.;
46°52.94 N lat. 124°22.58 W long.;
46°44.18 N lat. 124°18.00 W long.;
46°38.17 N lat. 124°15.88 W long.
The retention of canary and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.
Effective date: 12:01 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007
Species affected: All species of bottomfish, including lingcod
Location: Marine Areas 1, 2, and 3 (see the Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet, online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm, for area descriptions).
Reason for action: Canary and yelloweye rockfish are two of eight overfished groundfish stocks, which are managed under rebuilding plans by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The Pacific Council has adopted harvest guidelines for canary rockfish for state recreational fisheries to ensure that rebuilding goals are achieved.
Depth restrictions adopted in 2006 were effective in avoiding early canary and yelloweye rockfish harvest guideline attainment. Based on the success of last years management measures, the Pacific Council adopted the same management measures for 2007 that were in place for 2006.
Lingcod abundance determined by the most recent stock assessment supports a reduction in the minimum size for recreational lingcod from 24 inches to 22 inches.
Information contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202
Sport lingcod season opens March 17
in three ocean areas with new size limit
Action: Open sport lingcod in marine areas 1-3, March 17 through Oct. 13, 2007 seven days per week. The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches in all three marine areas. It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess bottomfish except sablefish and Pacific cod in Marine Area 2 seaward of a line approximating 30 fathoms, as defined by the following coordinates:
47°31.70 N lat. 124°37.03 W long.;
47°25.67 N lat. 124°34.79 W long.;
47°12.82 N lat. 124°29.12 W long.;
46°52.94 N lat. 124°22.58 W long.;
46°44.18 N lat. 124°18.00 W long.;
46°38.17 N lat. 124°15.88 W long.
The retention of canary and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.
Effective date: 12:01 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007
Species affected: All species of bottomfish, including lingcod
Location: Marine Areas 1, 2, and 3 (see the Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet, online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm, for area descriptions).
Reason for action: Canary and yelloweye rockfish are two of eight overfished groundfish stocks, which are managed under rebuilding plans by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The Pacific Council has adopted harvest guidelines for canary rockfish for state recreational fisheries to ensure that rebuilding goals are achieved.
Depth restrictions adopted in 2006 were effective in avoiding early canary and yelloweye rockfish harvest guideline attainment. Based on the success of last years management measures, the Pacific Council adopted the same management measures for 2007 that were in place for 2006.
Lingcod abundance determined by the most recent stock assessment supports a reduction in the minimum size for recreational lingcod from 24 inches to 22 inches.
Information contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202