A SWITCH TO in-season halibut management for all state marine areas is planned this spring.
That’s after a 2016 halibut season that saw recreational anglers in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca blow past the 57,393-pound flatfish quota by more than 45,000 pounds.
“For the last several years we’ve been taking more than our share of the quota in the Strait [of Juan de Fuca] and Puget Sound, and so our new approach will be similar to how we manage halibut on the coast [from Westport to Neah Bay], Heather Reed, the state Fish and Wildlife policy coordinator told the Seattle Times.
Reed said fishery managers from the International Pacific Halibut Commission had requested Fish and Wildlife consider ways to ensure quotas aren’t exceeded in the upcoming season.
Another way to ensure catch totals adhere to quota guidelines? Cut the time on the water for recreational anglers.
Halibut fishing in Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the coast off Neah Bay, La Push and Westport will be open Thursday, May 4 and 11 and Saturday, May 6.
“Once we get done with those fishing dates then we will assess the catch like we normally do,” Reed said.
“If there’s more left in quotas, then fishing will likely reopen May 21 and possibly May 25. Beyond that, we’ll also look at June 1 and/or June 4.”
Final approval on fishing dates will come sometime in March from the National Marine Fisheries Service, but changes are unlikely.
Last year, the northern coast off Neah Bay and La Push caught 107,417 pounds with a catch quota of 108,030.
“Fishing was pretty good off North Coast, but they got hit with some bad weather days,” Reed said.
“While normally the fishery lasts three or four days, it actually stayed open longer.”
Anglers off Neah Bay were able to have an extra Saturday in June last season. And I got the halibut bug out of my system for good that day on a rocky, gray Pacific Ocean. I’ll stick to salmon, cod, kokanee and trout.
Neal speaks tonight
Fishing guide, wilderness gossip columnist, author and radio personality Pat Neal is the guest speaker at today’s meeting of the North Olympic Peninsula chapter of Puget Sound Anglers.
Neal will present “A History of Fishing or Is Fishing History.” Neal has been guiding for decades on North Olympic rivers and has a truly historical perspective about sport fishing in Western Washington.
The unofficial mayor of Oil City will discuss the disappearance of salmon throughout the Pacific Northwest as representing a loss of biomass equal to or greater than the bison of the great plains.
Neal will document the loss of the incredible fishery on the Olympic Peninsula and how it has been destroyed in just a few short years with the best available science.
Learn about how fishing laws are made, the effects of “Nylon Pollution” and the extinction for profit industry. Pat Neal Books, CD’s and Cards will be available for sale.
Neal also will bring copies of his many books on nature and sign autographs.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. for viewing of raffle prizes and telling fish stories.
A short club business meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Neal’s talk will follow.
The club meets at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave. in Sequim.
A $50 membership drawing (must be present to win) also will be held.
Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome to attend.
Fun run, walk set in PA
The Port Angeles Parks &Recreation Department is hosting the RainDeer Fun Run/Walk Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m.
The 5k and 10k run/walk starts at City Pier and follows the Waterfront Trail out and back.
There will be shirts for pre-registered participants and some prizes for best costumes, and antlers to the first 50 registered.
Cost is $23 per person, $11 for 18 and younger. For more information or to register, call Dan Estes at 360-417-4557 or email destes@cityofpa.us.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
