DEATH BY 1,000 cuts, otherwise known as the slow but steady dismantling of recreational sport fisheries in the state of Washington, continued with the reveal of a scant three days of guaranteed halibut fishing for anglers this spring.
Anglers had 64 days on the water to fish for halibut in 2008, 30 in 2010, 12 in 2014 and eight days last year. Meanwhile, the estimated halibut catch rate per day has risen from 61 in 2008, 118 in 2010, 416 in 2014 and 667 last year.
This spring, halibut fishing in Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the coast off Neah Bay, La Push and Westport will be open May 4, May 6 and May 11. Puget Sound and Strait anglers
That accounts for one Saturday and two Thursdays during the school year. Not exactly an attractive choice for Puget Sound anglers heading west to the productive halibut fishing grounds off the coast and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Even with the less-than-steller week days, I’d expect catch rate per day totals to continue to climb. There may be between two to four days added later in May and in early June, but those are far from guaranteed.
“Once we get done with those fishing dates then we will assess the catch like we normally do,” the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Heather Reed said in October.
“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.”
Yes, halibut quota totals were surpassed in the Strait and in Puget Sound in recent years and the state will now manage halibut fishing inside the Strait and Puget Sound like it does off La Push and Neah Bay in order to limit overfishing.
Better record-keeping such as an electronic catch record card in the form of an easy-to-use mobile phone app or website could help track catches in real time — as opposed to the state finding out in April 2017 that I marked a halibut caught far off Neah Bay in early June of last year on my catch record card.
That’s a glacial pace for data collection in our current environment. It’s outdated and outmoded and should be a top priority for Fish and Wildlife.
2017 a wash
So this year is already shot for anglers, tackle suppliers and the service businesses such as lodging, restaurants, grocery stores and other shops that draw business from fishing-related tourism.
There will be no Port Angeles Salmon Club Halibut Derby in 2017, no mass influx of folks forking over good sums for motel rooms, food, spirits, last-minute essentials and gear.
But a group of concerned North Olympic Peninsula anglers/business people and local government officials are trying a political tactic to build a coalition of concerned citizens, cities and counties interested in a move to an annual bag/possession limit of six halibut with a more forgiving season that spreads out fishing pressure, promotes safety and would run from the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October.
Currently, these shortened seasons increase risk of deadly incidents on the water. A move to a longer season with a dedicated catch total would reduce the gold-rush mentality of halibut anglers who, if they wish to fish, sometimes have to head out in or be caught in hazardous weather conditions.
Those dates also would track the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s ocean bottom fish fishery cycle.
Dave Croonquist, a member of Puget Sound Anglers, the Coastal Conservation Association and the Port Angeles Salmon Club, along with Orca Enterprises’ Ralph Burba and former tackle manufacturer and longtime Salmon Club member Norm Metzler met with me recently to discuss a resolution to support the recreational fishing industry, a vital contributor to the economic health and well being of many communities across the North Olympic Peninsula.
The resolution will be introduced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Port Angeles City Council. All three encouraged halibut anglers, affected business owners and those who support a longer season to show up in support.
Council members Cherie Kidd and Lee Whetham have advocated for its passage, the three said.
Also introduced along with the resolution will be letters detailing financial losses associated with the decreases in halibut and salmon seasons sustained in 2016 by bait shop owner Jerry Wright of Jerry’s Bait and Tackle, bait supplier Burba, tackle maker David Sanford of Sanford Enterprises and Frugals’ manager Robert Beausoleil, plus sales information from Swains’ sporting goods department.
All paint a grim picture.
And a picture, that with much elbow grease and hard work could change for the better.
Clam digs start Tuesday
A six-day razor clam opening begins Tuesday on three ocean beaches.
The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:
• Tuesday, 3:53 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors.
•Wednesday, 4:46 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors.
•Thursday, 5:33 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks, Twin Harbors
•Friday, Feb 10, 6:16 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Mocrocks, Twin Harbors
•Saturday, Feb. 11, 6:57 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Mocrocks, Twin Harbors
•Sunday, Feb. 12, 7:34 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Mocrocks, Twin Harbors
River fishing class
Brian Menkal of Brian’s Sporting Goods and More will offer another two-part Introduction to Salmon and Steelhead River Fishing course at his store, 609 W. Washington St., No. 21 in Sequim, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday with part two following at the same time Tuesday, Feb. 14.
Menkal knows a ton of tips, tricks and locations and offers the course for $35 per person.
To reserve a space, phone 360-683-1950.
________
Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
