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Final Days Announced For The 2018 Halibut Fishery

WDFW announces final 2018 recreational halibut season dates

Action: Sets the final season dates of recreational halibut fishing for marine areas 1-10.

Locations and effective dates: 

Marine Area 1 (Columbia River): The nearshore fishery, which has been open seven days a week, will close for the season at the end of the day on June 20.

The all-depth fishery, which has been closed, will reopen June 21 only.

Marine Area 2 (Westport): The nearshore fishery, which has been open seven days a week, will close at the end of the day on June 6.

Both the nearshore and all-depth fisheries will reopen for a single day on June 21, then close for the season at the end of the day on June 21.

Marine areas 3-10: Will open June 16, June 21, and June 23.

Species affected:  Pacific halibut

Reason for action: There is sufficient quota remaining to open recreational halibut fisheries in Marine Area 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) and Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound) on Saturday, June 16 and Saturday, June 23. 

In addition, in order to maximize all-depth fishing opportunity, the nearshore area in Marine Area 2 will close at the end of the day Wednesday, June 6, and recreational halibut fishing will re-open at all depths in coastal marine areas 1-4 (with the exception of the Marine Area 1 nearshore fishery) and Puget Sound marine areas 5-10 on Thursday, June 21. 

Additional information:  As previously announced, recreational halibut fishing is already scheduled to be open June 7 and June 9 in marine areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) and marine areas 5-10 (Puget Sound)   

The nearshore fishery in Marine Area 1 (Columbia River) remains open seven days per week until the end of the day June 20. 

This rule conforms to federal action taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the International Pacific Halibut Commission.  

Information contact: Heather Reed, Coastal Policy Coordinator, 360-902-2487.

 
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