03-07-2008, 05:10 PM
Action: Open sport lingcod in marine areas 1-3, March 15 through Oct. 18, 2008, seven days a week. The minimum size limit for lingcod is 22 inches in all three marine areas. The retention of canary and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.
Effective March 15 through June 15, 2008, It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess bottomfish - except sablefish and Pacific cod - in Marine Area 2 seaward of a line approximating 30 fathoms, as defined by the following coordinates:
47°31.70'N lat. 124°37.03'W long.;
47°25.67'N lat. 124°34.79'W long.;<br />
47°12.82'N lat. 124°29.12'W long.;<br />
46°52.94'N lat. 124°22.58'W long.;<br />
46°44.18'N lat. 124°18.00'W long.;<br />
46°38.17'N lat. 124°15.88'W long.
Effective date: 12:01 a.m. Saturday March 15, 2008<br />
Species affected: All species of bottomfish, including lingcod
Location: Marine areas 1, 2, and 3. See the Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet, online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm , for area descriptions.
Reason for action: Canary and yelloweye rockfish are two of eight overfished groundfish stocks, which are managed under rebuilding plans by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The Pacific Council has adopted harvest guidelines for canary rockfish for state recreational fisheries to ensure that rebuilding goals are achieved. Depth restrictions adopted in 2006 and put in place in 2007 have been effective in avoiding early canary and yelloweye rockfish harvest-guideline attainment. Based on the success of these management measures, the Pacific Council adopted the same management measures for 2008. Lingcod abundance determined by the most recent stock assessment supports a reduction in the minimum size for recreational lingcod from 24 inches to 22 inches.<br />
Information contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202
Effective March 15 through June 15, 2008, It is unlawful to fish for, retain, or possess bottomfish - except sablefish and Pacific cod - in Marine Area 2 seaward of a line approximating 30 fathoms, as defined by the following coordinates:
47°31.70'N lat. 124°37.03'W long.;
47°25.67'N lat. 124°34.79'W long.;<br />
47°12.82'N lat. 124°29.12'W long.;<br />
46°52.94'N lat. 124°22.58'W long.;<br />
46°44.18'N lat. 124°18.00'W long.;<br />
46°38.17'N lat. 124°15.88'W long.
Effective date: 12:01 a.m. Saturday March 15, 2008<br />
Species affected: All species of bottomfish, including lingcod
Location: Marine areas 1, 2, and 3. See the Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet, online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm , for area descriptions.
Reason for action: Canary and yelloweye rockfish are two of eight overfished groundfish stocks, which are managed under rebuilding plans by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The Pacific Council has adopted harvest guidelines for canary rockfish for state recreational fisheries to ensure that rebuilding goals are achieved. Depth restrictions adopted in 2006 and put in place in 2007 have been effective in avoiding early canary and yelloweye rockfish harvest-guideline attainment. Based on the success of these management measures, the Pacific Council adopted the same management measures for 2008. Lingcod abundance determined by the most recent stock assessment supports a reduction in the minimum size for recreational lingcod from 24 inches to 22 inches.<br />
Information contact: Heather Reed, (360) 249-1202