Test fishery may generate angler inquiries

OLYMPIA -- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is hiring two purse seine fishing boats in September and October to conduct salmon research fisheries in areas of Puget Sound closed to non-Indian commercial fishing this year.

News organizations may receive reports about the apparent commercial fishing from sports anglers who cannot begin fishing in the area until Oct. 16.

The purse seiners hired by the department have Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel aboard and they will be marked with research signs.

The boats will be operating near Apple Cove or Edwards points in Marine Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton) on Sept. 12, 18 and 25 and Oct. 2 and 9.

The purpose of the research is to determine the size of the south Puget Sound coho run and obtain samples of chinook and chum salmon.

Fish caught in the surveys will be sold to help pay for the cost of the research.

For additional information, call Steve Boessow (360 902-2715); Jon Anderson (360 902-2711) or Dick Geist (360 902-2733).