05-31-2009, 11:18 AM
OLYMPIA - The recreational halibut fishery off the north coast of Washington will reopen June 4 and 6, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.
Marine areas 3 and 4 (La Push and Neah Bay) will be open for halibut fishing in all waters from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 and again on Saturday, June 6.<br />
A catch assessment recently concluded by WDFW found that anglers caught 67,058 pounds of halibut in those two areas during a recreational fishery open May 14-23 on Thursdays and Saturdays only. That leaves 40,972 pounds still available for harvest under the quota for the northern Washington coast established by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, said Heather Reed, WDFW coastal policy coordinator.<br />
If there is additional quota remaining after June 6, the fishery will reopen June 18, Reed said.<br />
Meanwhile, halibut fishing in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) will close at the end of the day Friday, May 29, while the halibut fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport) will be open May 31 and June 7, with additional openings announced based on remaining quota. The fishery remains open five days a week (Thursday through Monday) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and all other areas of Puget Sound except Hood Canal.
Marine areas 3 and 4 (La Push and Neah Bay) will be open for halibut fishing in all waters from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 and again on Saturday, June 6.<br />
A catch assessment recently concluded by WDFW found that anglers caught 67,058 pounds of halibut in those two areas during a recreational fishery open May 14-23 on Thursdays and Saturdays only. That leaves 40,972 pounds still available for harvest under the quota for the northern Washington coast established by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, said Heather Reed, WDFW coastal policy coordinator.<br />
If there is additional quota remaining after June 6, the fishery will reopen June 18, Reed said.<br />
Meanwhile, halibut fishing in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) will close at the end of the day Friday, May 29, while the halibut fishery in Marine Area 2 (Westport) will be open May 31 and June 7, with additional openings announced based on remaining quota. The fishery remains open five days a week (Thursday through Monday) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and all other areas of Puget Sound except Hood Canal.