LINGCOD SEASON IS underway off La Push and Neah Bay, and while limits didn’t change for these ugly but delicious fish, recreational anglers fishing off the coast have new daily limit flatfish guidelines to learn.
At its March meeting, the Pacific Fishery Management Council approved changes to the Washington coastal recreational bottomfish fishery for 2018 as recommended by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Halibut limit still separate
The rule change establishes a daily limit of three flatfish (excluding halibut), such as sole, flounder or sanddab, in all coastal marine areas west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line (marine areas 1-4).
The new daily limit of flatfish does not count toward an angler’s overall limit of nine bottomfish per day.
In Marine Area 3 (La Push), anglers can keep any combination of nine bottomfish per day including up to two lingcod, up to two cabezon and up to seven rockfish (canary rockfish retention is prohibited).
Rules in Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) are slightly different. Anglers can keep any combination of nine bottomfish per day including up to two lingcod; one cabezon and up to seven rockfish (canary rockfish retention is prohibited).
As part of the same rule change, retention of up to two canary rockfish is now permitted in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) and 2 (Westport).
Analysis showed that canary catch was well below the federally established harvest quota and sufficient to consider changes for 2018.
Crab, shrimp committee
Fish and Wildlife is seeking candidates to serve on a citizen committee that advises the department on Puget Sound recreational crab and shrimp fishing.
Up to 12 individuals will be chosen for two-year appointments that begin on June 1. Candidates have until April 30 to apply.
Committee members will advise department fishery managers on issues such as structuring sustainable fishing opportunities and developing fishery management plans, said Bob Sizemore, Puget Sound shellfish manager for WDFW.
“Advisors provide a valuable link between the department and recreational fishers,” Sizemore said.
With the abundant crabbing and shrimping opportunities present in the waters off the North Olympic Peninsula, it would be excellent if our area were well-represented on the committee.
Advisors will be chosen based on their experience in the recreational crab and shrimp fishery, their ability to address issues in a thoughtful, productive manner, their willingness to engage in the management process and their ability to communicate with fishery managers and other recreational and commercial fishers or organizations.
Interested individuals do not have to be affiliated with an organized group. Any group or individual also can nominate a candidate.
Letters of interest or nominations must include the following information:
Name, address, telephone number and email address of the person to be considered.
Relevant experience (including the Puget Sound marine area where the candidate most often harvests crab/shrimp) and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group.
Views on how an advisor should work with other Puget Sound advisors and Fish and Wildlife staff in resolving Puget Sound crab and shrimp fishery issues.
Effectiveness in communication, including methods the candidate would use to relay information to regional constituents.
Applications are due by 5 p.m., April 30, and may be mailed to: WDFW Port Townsend District Office, Attn: Bob Sizemore, 375 Hudson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368-5614.
Applications also can be emailed to Robert.Sizemore@dfw.wa.gov.
The advisory committee meets twice per year. Additional conference call meetings may also be held to discuss in-season management issues. Advisors will be expected to remain informed on pertinent issues and to provide objective assessments.
