Salmon in the San Juans? One and done for the rest of winter fishing season Contributed photo
The daily catch limit for salmon in Marine Area 7, which encompasses the San Juan Islands, has been reduced from two to one beginning Monday, Feb. 24., through the end of April.
Anglers fishing in the San Juans are now limited to one salmon per day through the rest of the winter season, which closes April 30. The catch-limit for salmon in the San Juans, also known as Marine Area 7,
was reduced from two to one per day, beginning Monday, Feb. 24, to control the fishery’s impact on stocks of concern, according to the Washington state Department of Fish & Wildlife.
“Nice weather and calm days on the water have led to a productive winter salmon season for anglers fishing in the San Juan Islands,” WDFW’s Ryan Lothrop, a fish biologist, said in a department press release.
According to preliminar y estimates by WDFW, anglers had kept or released 4,572 chinook salmon in Marine Area 7, as of Feb. 16. Lothrop said the new catch limit will ensure compliance with conservation objectives and state-tribal management plans in Puget
Sound. Fish & Wildlife will continue to monitor the fishery in Marine Area 7 through April 30, when it is scheduled to close. Anglers fishing in Marine Area 7 must release any chinook not specifically marked with a clipped adipose fin, sign of a hatchery fish. However, since some released wild chinook do not sur vive, they are counted toward
the management guideline of 4,888 total encounters with legal-size chinook during the fishery. Bellingham Bay and Samish Bay will be closed to salmon fishing for the month of April. Anglers can check for updates on WDFW’s Fishing Hotline (360-902-2500), or the department’s website, at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.
Guest Column
Ferries, keep us informed Submitted by the San concern that ferries is not Juan County Ferry Advisory financially sustainable. What we may not have Committee. Most of us in the islands understood, until now, is are concerned about the that he was talking about ongoing problems with the exactly the situation we Sealth, one of three main- find ourselves in, with one land ferries, which is under- boat out of service and no going lengthy repairs in adequate replacements available. Anacortes. FAC and ferries are very Cancellations and late sailings have given rise to a aware of the frustration stemming from the Sealth great deal of frustration. There is a tendency to issue. We’ve been in contact blame Washington State with George Capacci (depuFerries for not solving ty chief and head of operathe problems quicker, or tions and capital) almost at least providing another daily. Ferries is doing everyboat that could substitute thing possible, the problem for the Sealth in the mean- is that there aren’t a lot of options. time. The problem with the Each time Washington State Ferries visits the Sealth is a very infrequent islands for their semiannu- steering failure at one end al public meetings, we’ve of the vessel. Tracking down the cause heard David Moseley San Juan County andRepublicans fixing it has turned into (assistant secretar y and Invite Youthe To a frustrating exercise. The head of ferries) repeat
engineers and contractors have replaced all of the hydraulics and thought the problem was fixed, only to find that it failed once again. They are now going through the electrical control system, part by part, testing and replacing. No one knows how long this will last. It is important to understand that WSF has only one spare boat, the 34-car Hiyu. It was brought up to replace the Evergreen State, which in turn has replaced the Sealth. So we have the full vessel complement for the current schedule, just smaller vessels and in one case slower. But that’s a whole lot better than being short a boat. The bulletins regarding reduced speed and delays have hopefully provided the opportunity to make
adjustments. That was one thing we stressed to ferries: keep folks informed.
March Madness Open an Islands Connection Checking and Savings Account between March 3rd and March 31st and you will be entered into our sweepstakes to receive $500.* *$100 initial deposit is required for both Islands Connection Checking and Savings Account. An excess transaction charge of $3 per item will be assessed for any transaction exceeding six transfers from your savings account each statement cycle. Minimum monthly transfer of $25 is required. Customers that currently have a connection checking/savings product will automatically receive one (1) sweepstakes entry. Employees of Islanders Bank, its affiliates, and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. No purchase necessary to enter. To enter manually, submit your name, address, and home telephone number to any Islanders Bank Branch listed below. All entries must be received by March 31, 2014. Winner will be determined by a random drawing conducted on April 4, 2014.
Friday, March 7th, 5:00PM Dinner, Speaker, Silent Auction, Dessert Auction, History Trivia BLUE WATER GRILL, FRIDAY HARBOR $50 Ticket RSVP 378-4738
Saturday, March 8th, Noon Lunch & Speaker LOPEZ ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH 91 Lopez Road $20 Ticket RSVP 468-2043
Saturday, March 8th, 4:00PM Coffee & Speaker MAMIE’S BOARDWALK CAFÉ ORCAS ISLAND FERRY LANDING Donation Appreciated RSVP 376-2971
For all details please contact us or visit a retail specialist at any one our three locations. Friday Harbor Branch 360-378-2265
Lopez Island Branch 360-468-2295
®
Islanders Bank
Orcas Island Branch 360-376-2265
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • March 4, 2014 – Page 3