PUGET SOUND COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERIES REGULATION HOTLINE 2023-26 Weeks 45 11/03/2023 – 2:30 PM For the week beginning Sunday November 5 all areas are closed except as follows: Area 7 (San Juan Islands) will be open to: Reef Nets: 5 AM to 9 PM Daily Sunday, November 5 to Saturday, November 11. Must release all sockeye, Chinook, and unmarked coho. Reef Net fishers that previously retained chinook or unmarked coho this season are required to submit a department-issued Puget Sound Reef Net Logbook. Failure to do so is in violation of WAC and may result in loss of retention of these species in future years. Area 7B (Bellingham Bay): Gillnets using 5-inch minimum mesh size: Open continuously 7 AM Monday November 6 – 4 PM Friday November 10. Purse seines with a 5 inch strip: 7 AM to 5 PM Daily Monday November 6 through Friday November 10. Brailing of catch and recovery boxes are required. Must release all and Chinook and sockeye. Area 10/11 (South Sound): Due to the low abundance of South and Central sound chum estimated by the ISU model, Areas 10/11 are closed for chum directed fisheries through November 6, and will be re-evaluated for management week 45 on November 7. Areas 12 and 12B (Hood Canal): Gillnets using 6 1/4-inch minimum mesh size: Open 7 AM to 7 PM Monday, November 6 and Wednesday, November 8. Purse seines with a 5 inch strip: Open 7 AM to 5 PM Thursday, November 9. Must release all chinook and sockeye. Due to the current state of the market for salmon, please call and secure a buyer before participating in commercial salmon fisheries. Enforcement will be present on the water and citing for any wastage of unsold fish. If you suspect an error in this message or if you have questions, please 360-701-2215. http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/commercial/salmon/