Action: Add additional days for recreational halibut in June in Marine Areas 1 ? 4. Recreational halibut is quota managed, days open are dependent on available quota and areas will close when the quota is projected to be taken.
Effective date: Marine Area 1: June 13 and 20 Marine Area 2: June 28 and 30 Marine Area 3 and 4: June 10, 17 and 24,
Species affected: Pacific halibut
Location: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco/Chinook): Adding Monday, June 13 and June 20 to the previously scheduled all-depth fishing days which are June 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, as long as there is sufficient quota. The nearshore area opened to fishing May 9 on a Monday-through-Wednesday schedule. Coordinates for the nearshore fishery are available at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut/columbia-river.
The all-depth fishery will be managed to 18,537pounds; the nearshore quota is 500 pounds.
Marine Area 2 (Westport): Adding Tuesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 30 to the previously scheduled all-depth fishing days which are, June 16, 19, 23, and 26, as long as there is sufficient quota.
This area will be managed to an overall quota of 68,555 pounds.
Marine Areas 3 and 4 (Neah Bay and La Push): Adding Fridays, June 10, 17, and 24 to the previously scheduled days which are, June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, as long as there is sufficient quota.
The combined quota for both areas is 133,847 pounds.
Marine Area 5 (Sekiu): No change to proposed dates.
Open June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Marine Areas 6 – 10 (Puget Sound):
No change to proposed dates.
Open June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 as long as there is sufficient quota.
Puget Sound will be managed to an overall quota of 83,210 pounds.
Marine Areas 1 – 10: Daily limit of 1 halibut per angler, with no minimum size limit. Annual limit of 4. All catch must be recorded on a WDFW catch record card. Possession limits remain the same.
Marine Areas 11 – 13 (Puget Sound): Closed
Reason for action: Severe inclement weather on scheduled halibut days precluded or significantly reduced fishing effort. Substantial quota remains and adding dates in June supports progress towards attaining the Washington sport quota. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adopted regulations for Pacific halibut fisheries in 2022 including the additional season dates described here. This emergency rules revises state regulations so that they conform to federal regulations.
Additional Information: WDFW will work with the International Pacific Halibut Commission, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, and NMFS to evaluate the quota at the end of June. If quota remains, additional fishing days may be opened in August and September.
Information contact: Lorna Wargo, Intergovernmental Policy Coordinator, 360-581-5611
Fishers must have a current Washington fishing license, appropriate to the fishery. Check the WDFW “Fishing in Washington” rules pamphlet for details on fishing seasons and regulations. Fishing rules are subject to change. Check the WDFW Fishing hotline for the latest rule information at (360) 902-2500, press 2 for recreational rules. For the Shellfish Rule Change hotline call (360)796-3215 or toll free 1-866-880-5431.
Original source can be found here.
