The following 2023 Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries regulations are the culmination of co-manager decision- making developed throughout this year’s North of Falcon (NOF) process and adopted by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC). This pamphlet summarizes the agreed-to schedules, rules for non-treaty fisheries, marine catch and exclusion areas, and other pertinent information. Management highlights for the 2023 season include:
All Areas: 2023 Management Weeks return to later Julian Day Dates. See Table 5.
Area 7/7A: Pink fisheries during Fraser Panel Control scheduled pending PSC Fraser Panel updates. Fishery updates through NOAA hotline (800)-662-9825.
Area 7B/C: Coho management period returns to week 36. Additional purse seine day in week 35. Whatcom Creek Zone is open during Chinook and Coho management period. This zone may CLOSE during Chum management period, pending in season management.
Area 8, and 8A: No scheduled fisheries, due to forecasted low abundances and chinook impact to Stillaguamish stocks.
Area 8D: Gillnet coho fisheries scheduled for weeks 38 – 43. Closed for Purse Seine.
Area 9: Single Purse Seine research fishery north of Hood Canal Bridge to collect fall chum genetic information, weeks 42-46.
Area 10/11: Area 10 Limited Participation pink directed fishery scheduled for management weeks 34 -36. 5 purse seine and 5 gill net. In-season Emergency Regulation may add additional vessels.
Fall Chum fisheries dependent on ISU information from the Apple Cove Point Test Fishery. Week 41 no fishery, week 42 Limited Participation, and weeks 43-45 if ISU is between 350,000 and 460,000, a limited participation fishery will be opened with 14,000 fish quota per week. If the ISU is larger than 460,000 in weeks 43-45, the state will resume a full schedule with ISU derived share. Single Purse Seine Test fishery at Apple Cove Point weeks 47-49 to collect winter chum genetic information. Dual Purse Seine test fishery to be operated in Area 11 weeks 42-46, to collect fall chum genetic information and support Apple Cove Point Test ISU.
Area 12/12B: Fall Chum fisheries Scheduled weeks 42-47. Hazel Point Closure Area is CLOSED.
Area 12C: Adjustment to Hoodsport Chinook Beach Seine fishery: Fishery reduced to a single day fishery (Thursdays), weeks 31-36 with a 5,000 fish quota. Fall Chum fisheries dependent on agreed-to ISU.
Note to Readers: The regulations appearing in this pamphlet may be changed by subsequent emergency regulations at any time. Supplementary changes to the regulations will be available through the department’s website. This pamphlet is intended as an informational guide only. To be certain of the current laws, refer to the official RCW and WAC.