THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Fishery managers have developed options for salmon fisheries in Washington waters that reflect lower numbers of some coho salmon stocks than are predicted to rebound this year.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), which brings together tribal, federal, and state entities to establish fishing seasons in the ocean waters three to 200 nautical miles from the Pacific coast, approved three option for ocean salmon fisheries for public review. These ocean options will help inform other Washington salmon fisheries as the weatherization process continues.
“The options for ocean salmon fisheries this year reflect forecasts for Columbia River Chinook similar to last year,” said Kyle Adicks, Intergovernmental Salmon Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW ). “The number of hatchery coho expected to return to the Columbia is lower than last year but should still provide good fishing opportunities. Fishery managers expect salmon to return to natural stocks, especially those under the Endangered Species Act, which is in low abundance, will limit salmon fisheries in all marine and freshwater areas.
Options for 2024 include the following quotas for Washington coastal recreational fisheries:
One option: 42,500 Chinook and 88,200 marked coho.
- Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 15 to the earlier of September 30, or 9,170 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 9,780 Chinook. There will be no Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line starting August 1.
- La Push (Marine Area 3): Open seven days per week from June 15 to the earlier of September 30, or 2,290 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,700 Chinook.
- Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open seven days per week from June 22 to the earlier of September 30, or 32,640 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 18,060 Chinook.
- Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 22 to the earlier of September 30, or 44,100 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 12,960 Chinook. The Buoy 10 fishery will open on August 1 with an expected landed catch of 22,000 marked coho in August and September.
Two options: 39,000 Chinook and 79,800 marked coho.
- Neah Bay (Marine Area 4): Open seven days per week from June 22 to the earlier of September 30, or 8,300 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,970 Chinook. There will be no Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line starting August 1.
- La Push (Marine Area 3): Open daily from June 22 to earlier in September. 30, or 2,070 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,550 Chinook.
- Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2): Open seven days per week from June 29 to the earlier of September 30, or 29,530 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 16,580 Chinook. Chinook retention is prohibited on Fridays and Saturdays in July.
- Ilwaco (Marine Area 1): Open seven days per week from June 22 to the earlier of September 30, or 39,900 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 11,900 Chinook. Buoy 10 fishery will open on August 1 with an expected landed catch of 27,000 marked coho in August and September.
Third option: 36,000 Chinook and 67,200 marked coho.
- Neah Bay (Marine Area 4):Open daily from June 22 to earlier in September. 22, or 6,990 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,280 Chinook. There will be no Chinook retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line starting August 1.
- La Push (Marine Area 3):Open daily from June 22 to the earlier of September 22, or 1,750 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,440 Chinook.
- Westport-Ocean Shores (Marine Area 2):Open five days per week (Sunday-Thursday) from June 30 to the earlier of September 22, or 24,860 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 15,300 Chinook.
- Ilwaco (Marine Area 1):Open seven days per week from June 29 to the earlier of September 22, or 33,600 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 10,980 Chinook. The Buoy 10 fishery will open on August 1 with an expected landed catch of 32,000 marked coho in August and September.
Under these circumstances, fishery managers will monitor the number of salmon caught by recreational anglers and may close earlier than the above dates, if quotas are met. For more details about options, visit the PFMC webpage.
The chinook and coho quotas and seasons approved by the PFMC will be part of a comprehensive 2024 salmon-fishing package, which includes marine and freshwater fisheries throughout Washington. State and tribal co-managers will finalize the interim 2024 salmon fisheries package in conjunction with the PFMC during its April 6-11 meeting in Seattle. More information on meetings is available on the PFMC website.
The collaborative state and tribal salmon season-setting process, known as North of Falcon (NOF), refers to the waters north of Oregon’s Cape Falcon, which marks the southern border of Washington’s management of salmon stocks.
In addition to attending meetings, the public can participate in the state process including:
- Online comments: The public can now provide general comments on potential fisheries on WDFW’s North of Falcon public input webpage. Additional opportunities to comment on specific seasons and fisheries will be available as forecasts and proposed season summaries are made available.
- Virtual meetings and daily briefings: In the final days of negotiations, state fish managers plan to hold briefings each day, available through virtual meetings.
Fishery managers use public feedback on these options to negotiate the final season with states and tribes represented on the PFMC, refined to include preferences shared by the public.
The NOF No. 1 WDFW meeting is Wednesday, March 13, 9 am, in the Office Building 2 Auditorium, 1115 Washington Street SE in Olympia. The meeting is available to watch via Zoom webinar. Participants must register in advance. The meeting will be broadcast on TVW Broadcast. For a full timeline of WDFW public meetings with opportunities to participate and provide feedback, visit the NOF public meetings webpage. Visit our NOF FAQs and Glossary Information for key terms and suggested resources. Follow the process of setting the 2024-25 salmon season, by going to the WDFW “Salmon Daily Digest” blog.
