DEPARTMENT OF

FISH AND WILDLIFE

Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-47-027:

1) Effective immediately through 6:59 p.m. September 7, 2014, it is unlawful to fish for salmon in waters of Willapa Bay for commercial purposes.

2) Effective 7:00 p.m. September 7 through 7:00 a.m. September 8, 2014, a person may fish for salmon for commercial purposes in waters of Willapa Bay Catch Areas 2N and 2U with the following restrictions:

(a) Mesh size must not exceed six and one-half inches stretched.

(b) Each boat must have two operable recovery boxes or one box with two chambers on board when fishing in Willapa Bay Areas 2N, and 2U.

(i) Each box and chamber must be operating during any time the net is being retrieved or picked. The flow in the recovery box must be a minimum of 16 gallons per minute in each chamber of the box, not to exceed 20 gallons per minute.

(ii) Each chamber of the recovery box must meet the following dimensions as measured from within the box:

(A) The inside length measurement must be at or within 39-1/2 inches to 48 inches;

(B) The inside width measurements must be at or within 8 to 10 inches; and

(C) The inside height measurement must be at or within 14 to 16 inches.

(iii) Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water inlet hole between 3/4 inch and 1 inch in diameter, centered horizontally across the door or wall of the chamber and 1-3/4 inches from the floor of the chamber. Each chamber of the recovery box must include a water outlet hole opposite the inflow that is at least 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The center of the outlet hole must be located a minimum of 12 inches above the floor of the box or chamber. The fisher must demonstrate to department employees, fish and wildlife enforcement officers, or other peace officers, upon request, that the pumping system is delivering the proper volume of fresh river/bay water into each chamber.

(c) All steelhead and wild (unmarked) Chinook must be placed in an operating recovery box which meets the requirements in subsection (b) of this subsection prior to being released to the river/bay as set forth in subsection (d) below.

(d) All fish placed in recovery boxes must remain until they are not lethargic and not bleeding and must be released to the river/bay prior to landing or docking.

(e) Soak time must not exceed 45 minutes. Soak time is defined as the time elapsed from when the first of the gillnet web is deployed into the water until the gillnet web is fully retrieved from the water.

(f) Quick reporting is required for wholesale dealers and fishers retailing their catch under a "direct retail endorsement." According to WAC 220-69-240(14), reports must be made by 10:00 a.m. the day following landing.

(g) Retention of any species other than coho salmon, chum salmon, or hatchery Chinook marked by a healed scar at the site of the adipose fin is prohibited.

(h) It is unlawful to fish with gillnet gear in Willapa Bay unless the vessel operator has attended a "Fish Friendly" best fishing practices workshop and has in their possession a department-issued certification card.

(i) Fishers must take department observers if requested by department staff when participating in these openings. Fishers also must provide notice of intent to participate by contacting quick reporting by phone, fax or e-mail. Notice of intent must be given prior to 12:00 p.m. on September 4, 2014.