Marine Area 7 (san Juan Islands) Reduction Of Chinook Limit To 1, Effective March 12th

Anglers limited to 1 chinook per day in Marine Area 7

Action: The daily catch limit for chinook salmon in Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) will be reduced to 1 chinook, with a 2 salmon limit. All wild chinook salmon must be released.

Effective Date: March 12 through April 30, 2016.

Species affected: Chinook salmon.

Location: Marine Area 7 within Puget Sound.

Reason for action: Before the salmon fishing season started, WDFW and tribal co-managers agreed to a limited number (12,248) of chinook encounters - retaining or releasing fish - anglers are allowed in Marine Area 7. Preliminary estimates indicate that anglers have reached 79 percent of those encounters. The fishery is being modified to control impacts on stocks of concern and increase the likelihood of providing a season-long fishery.

Other information: WDFW will continue to monitor and evaluate the Marine Area 7 fishery, which is scheduled to run through April 30.

Information contact: Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808.