Washington Willapa Bay Drift Gillnet 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 | 57 |
Target Species | salmon (Chinook, coho, chum) |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans | N/A |
Observer Coverage | Observed 1991-1993 |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
Harbor seal, OR/WA coast Northern elephant seal, CA breeding |
Basis for Current Classification
Classified as Category III based on observer data that indicated no observed mortalities and serious injuries.
Distribution
The Category III WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet fishery targets coho, chum, and Chinook salmon during the fall within Willapa Bay, situated just south of Grays Harbor in the southwest corner of Washington. A detailed depiction of the commercial fishing areas in Washington can be found here.
Gear Description
Drift gillnets are the only gear allowed in the fishery. These nets must adhere to specific mesh size and length requirements. The net length can be up to 1500 feet (457.2 m), and the mesh size ranges from a stretched length of 4¼ inches to 6½ inches (10.8-16.5 cm). Mesh size requirements may vary within the various areas, on specific days and at certain times, depending on salmon stock status and size limits. Soak times are limited to 45 minutes.
Management
This is a limited entry fishery managed primarily by the WDFW, in concert with salmon fisheries management by the PFMC and NMFS. The retention of any species other than the intended target species is prohibited, and any encounters with white sturgeon, green sturgeon, and steelhead, has to be reported. The use of recovery boxes to improve survival of fish bycatch is mandatory, with the number and type used depending on the area fished. A vessel operator cannot fish unless they have attended a best fishing practices workshop and has a department issued certification card in their possession at all times while conducting fishing operations. State observers must be taken if requested to do so. Each vessel is allowed to have more than one net on board.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) | III (1996) |
Original Number of Participants | 82 |
Basis for Original Classification | Listed as Category III based on observer data that indicated there were no observed mortalities or serious injuries. |
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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