Public invited to March 4 WDFW virtual meeting on proposed state ferry terminals rule making

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 4 to discuss proposed rule making for closure zones at state ferry terminals. WDFW is undertaking this rule making in support of a Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) request.

The virtual public meeting is Tuesday, March 4 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. To participate visit the Zoom meeting link on the WDFW events webpage. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback and comments during the meeting.

At the public meeting, WDFW and WSDOT staff will present the purpose of the proposed rule making and the current draft language of the rule. If implemented, the rule will prohibit commercial or recreational crabbing and shrimping and fishing with purse seine or gillnets, near 19 WSDOT-managed ferry terminals in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. These types of fishing equipment regularly cause significant and costly damage to WSDOT ferries. The closure would prohibit using these types of fishing gear within 400 yards from the end of the ferry terminal dock and 100 yards on each side.

The proposed rule applies to stationary recreational crab and shrimp fishing gear. It also prohibits either commercial or recreational purse seine fishing, crabbing, shrimping and gillnetting. The rule doesn’t apply to trolling or other methods of recreational salmon, lingcod and other fishing near ferry docks.

To view the proposed rule, refer to the WDFW current rule making webpage. The public can submit comments online, via email to ferriesandfishinggear@publicinput.com, or by leaving a voicemail at 855-925-2801, enter project code 10992. 

All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.