A potential rarity to watch for this summer, the return of non-native Humboldt squid to the waters of the North Pacific Ocean, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
Not seen locally in big numbers since an abundance of the species found their way down the Strait in 2009, the species has been showing up in catches brought aboard by a NOAA crew conducting a juvenile salmon survey along the Pacific Coast from Newport, Ore., to La Push.
The usual range of Humboldt squid — which eat lanternfish, shrimp, mollusks, salmon and other fish — is from the southern tip of South America to Southern California.
Commercial fisherman Gary Willmett was inundated with the cephalopods while operating out of Neah Bay in 2009.
The squid — which can grow about 6½ feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds — were eating the salmon right off his hooks while he trolled the Strait in his 39-foot boat.
“They take the fish right off in front of you,” he said.
“All you get is the jaw, if you are lucky.”
In four days of fishing in late August 2009, Willmett said he caught two kings, 42 silvers — and 30 squid.
Normally, he would have caught up to 100 salmon, he said.
The Neah Bay salmon fleet left port earlier this week, so we may receive additional reports of these big squid going forward.
Added shrimping date
Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) will get four more hours of shrimping for all shrimp species from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday.
The daily limit is 10 pounds of all shrimp species, with a maximum of 80 spot shrimp. If retaining only spot shrimp, heads may be removed and discarded immediately in the field. Pots can be set and retrieved from one hour before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset. All traps must be removed from the water during periods when fishing is closed.
Halibut update
North Coast: 621 halibut were caught by 910 anglers for a weekly total catch of 10,270.8 pounds. Remaining quota is 121,569.9 pounds.
Puget Sound, including Marine Area 5: 313 halibut were caught by 1,181 anglers for a weekly catch of 5,581.4 pounds. Remaining quota is 64,035.7 pounds.
Boating survey
Those who boat near orca habitat in Puget Sound are urged to take a boating survey offered by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Parks Boating Program.
The survey takes six to eight minutes and is available at https://tinyurl.com/PDN-BoatSurvey22 through June 13.
Insights on several boating topics related to orca whales will be gathered.
Free fishing weekend
No license to fish or gather shellfish in any open waters will be required during Fish and Wildlife’s Free Fishing Weekend June 11-12.
A valid Catch Record Card is still required for salmon, steelhead, halibut and sturgeon.
In addition, people do not need a Vehicle Access Pass or Discover Pass to park their vehicle at any public lands or water access areas managed by Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources or Washington State Parks in recognition of National Get Outdoors Day (June 11) and Free Fishing Day (June 12).
Douse that campfire
Despite the cool wet spring, fire danger is rising by the day. Those recreating in their back yards, state or national parks or forests should pay extra attention to campfires to avoid the threat of forest fire.
Annually, 85 percent of all wildfires are human-caused, and each year escaped campfires are the leading basis of this cause, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Always have a bucket of water or a shovel with dirt or sand nearby to put out the fire. Make sure to completely extinguish the fire before leaving the site. Apply water to all coals or remaining flames. Stir with a stick and pour on more water. Observe that there is no heat, glow or flame remaining.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladaily news.com.
