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Puget Sound Commercial Squid Fishery

2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  TJ Fisher 
#1 ·
A Puget Sound commercial squid fishery will open for the first time in the next few days. I had heard last year that this was coming, but it is official now. Please see below.

Reference number: 3674696H-24


PUGET SOUND SQUID REGULATION NO:2017-214-105 TULALIP TRIBES FISHING REGULATION DATE: January 31, 2018 Puget Sound Squid Regulation. This regulation covers ceremonial, subsistence and commercial Squid fishing SPECIES: Market Squid (Doryteuthis opalescens)

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective January 31, 2018. Remains in effect until modified or superseded.

FISHING AREAS: Those areas of the Tulalip Tribes usual and accustomed fishing areas as defined by MFSF Catch Areas 20A (west of a line from Sandy Point to Point Migley on Lummi Island), 20B, 21A (west of a line from the southernmost tip of Lummi Island to Vendovi Island), 22A (west of a line from drawn from Smith Island to Lawson Reef to Sares Head), 22B (west of a line from Vendovi Island to the northernmost tip of Guemes Island, thence along the eastern shore of Guemes Island to Clark Point, thence to March Point), 23A (northeast of a line from Trial Island light to Protection Island), 23B (west of a line from Point Partridge to Smith Island to Lawson Reef), 24B, 24C (south of a line from Camano City due west to Whidbey Island), 24D, 25A (north and east of a line from Trial Island light to Protection Island thence to McCurdy Point, 25B (east of a line from Point Wilson to Marrowstone Point, thence along the eastern shore of Marrowstone Island to Liplip Point thence to Foulweather Bluff, 26A, 26B (excluding Port Madison west of a line from Pt. Jefferson to Pt. Monroe and excluding that portion of Area 26B east of a line from Meadow Pt. to West Pt. thence to Alki Pt.).

SEASON: OPEN 8:00 AM Friday, February 2, 2018. CLOSE 11:30 PM Monday, December 31, 2018.

EXPECTED EFFORT: Commercial Fishing Vessels at 2 boats.

LEGAL GEAR: Dip bag, brail, squid jigging gear, or herring rake. Dip bag net and brail gear may not have a mesh less than 1-inch stretch measure.

GEAR MARKING: Gear marking requirements are specified in the Tulalip General Fishing Regulations.

HARVEST LOGS: Commercial harvesters will maintain squid harvest logs. Harvest logs will be submitted to the Tulalip Tribes Shellfish Program by the 10th day of the following month. Harvest logs will include, for each day fished, the MFSF catch area, location fished (nearest landmark or bay) pounds landed, gear type, total wattage of attracting lights, average depth of harvest, incidental catch, and duration fished.

HARVEST AMOUNT: The Tulalip Tribes recognize that the treaty fishery is entitled to 50% of the total allowable harvest of squid and currently harvest levels have not been established for the commercial and or non-commercial Puget Sound squid fishery. An initial 50,000 lb commercial landing limit is set for this fishery at this time without agreement on Puget Sound TAC or sub-regional limits. Daily subsistence harvest limit will be 20 pounds per fisher.

CATCH REPORTING: Commercial catch must be reported on Treaty Indian Fish Receiving Tickets. Subsistence catch must be reported to Tulalip Fisheries on the returned permit providing information as
to the number of pounds of squid harvested and the Catch Area within 24 hours of harvesting the crab. All Dock sales and Take home catch that is harvested during a commercial opening must be recorded on Fish Receiving Tickets or must be reported to the Tulalip Fisheries office (360-716-4596) within 24 hours. Monthly harvest amounts will be available on the NWIFC TOCAS database by the 15th day of the following month.

REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION AND PERMITS: All persons engaged in squid fishing must have in their possession the official identification card for Tulalip Tribes fishing as defined in the Tulalip General Fishing Regulations. A squid gear license is required for commercial squid fishing.

GEAR LIMITS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS: 1. Dip bag net and brail gear mesh may not be less than 1 inch stretch measure. 2. Each vessel fishing for squid may use a lighting system with a combined power of not more than 30 kilowatts (30,000 watts). Lights of 200 watts or greater must be shielded and may not be directed to any point more than 100 feet from the vessel while fishing for or attracting squid. 3. Squid eggs caught while fishing for squid will be returned to the water immediately. 4. All commercial catch must be reported on Fish Receiving Tickets. 5. The sale of subsistence catch is strictly prohibited under this regulation. 6. All Dock sales and Take home catch that is harvested during a commercial opening must be reported to the Tulalip Fisheries office (360-716-4596) within 24 hours. All catch must be recorded on Fish Receiving Tickets.

JUSTIFICATION: 2017-2022 Puget Sound Squid Harvest Management Agreement (7/18/2017)

EMERGENCY REGULATIONS: Any provision of the above may be modified at any time by emergency regulation.

THE TULALIP TRIBES

Jason Gobin Fisheries Director
 
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#10 ·
The more I read about this fishery the more j don't understand how this can be allowable inside PS. Squid fishing is primarily done at night using lights which is also going to attract things such as shrimp, herring, anchovies, and just about every other food source there is. So we're not only talking about a reduction in one food source for predator fish but a reduction in most/ all food sources due to by-catch.

There's also the amount of ink put into the water after netting large schools of squid. What if any effect would this have?

Also there is still little know in regards to market squid. NOAA are still researching and managing the commercial fishery in the ocean which I think is at 118000 short tons and only allow 113 licenses for commercial harvest in ocean waters.

Sad sad sad that this is happening.
 
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