April 20, 2016 — SEATTLE — Fisheries managers on Friday approved limited ocean salmon fishing off the Washington coast, but are still discussing plans for Puget Sound, including closing all fishing in the region due to disastrous runs.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council, which includes state and tribal officials, met last week in Vancouver, Wash. to set commercial and recreational fishing guidelines.
The president of the Puget Sound Anglers called predictions for this year’s salmon run “the worst we probably have ever seen.”
The council set an ocean-salmon sport catch at 35,000 Chinook and 18,900 hatchery coho salmon.
Debate continues this week on what, if any catch, will be allowed in Puget Sound.