Washington Grays Harbor Salmon Drift Gillnet (excluding treaty Tribal fishing) Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category | III |
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Estimated Number of Participants | 19 |
Target Species | salmon (Chinook, coho, chum), shad |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans | N/A |
Observer Coverage | Observed 1991-1993 |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured | Harbor seal, OR/WA coast |
Basis for Current Classification
Classified as Category III based on observer data estimates of harbor seals mortality and serious injuries.
Distribution
The Category III WA Grays Harbor salmon drift gillnet (excluding treaty Tribal fishing) fishery mainly targets salmon (Chinook, coho, and chum) and shad. Grays Harbor, situated just north of Willapa Bay in the southwest corner of Washington, is divided into four distinct management areas.
It is a fall fishery, open from October 1 to November 30 each year, with time limits set for each area and adjusted for each season depending on fish stock abundance. The time limits include certain days open for fishing each month, with constraints on the specific hours when fishing is allowed on these days.
Gear Description
The net is constructed of synthetic multifilament mesh, which may not exceed 1,500 feet (457.2 m) in length. Nets are attached at one end of the vessel, drifting with the vessel. The mesh size does not exceed 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in areas 2A, 2B and 2D. In area 2C, the maximum mesh size is 9.0 inches (22.9 cm). The drift times vary depending on the fishing area, tidal condition, and target catch, but are ultimately limited to no more than 45 minutes.
Management
This is a limited entry fishery managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). However, the PFMC and NMFS co-manage the fishery with WDFW for implementing management actions such as season length, bag limits, and quotas.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) | III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants | 24 |
Basis for Original Classification | Listed as Category III based on observer data estimates of 10 WA/OR coastal harbor seals per year; <1% PBR for the stock (PBR=170). |
Past names | None |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) | None |
Timeline of Changes
2022 |
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