http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/director/pugetsound_salmon_statement.htmlOffice of the Director
Statement from WDFW Director Jim Unsworth on Puget Sound fisheries
May 12, 2016
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Jim Unsworth today issued the following statement regarding Puget Sound-area fisheries:
“As you know, state fishery managers and treaty Indian tribes have been unable to agree on this year’s salmon and steelhead fisheries in Puget Sound.
“Without an agreement, the state and tribes are in the unprecedented position of separately obtaining the federal authorization needed to open fisheries under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The previous federal approval, which authorized both tribal and non-tribal fisheries, expired April 30.
“As a result, effective May 1, WDFW closed state recreational and non-tribal fisheries in the Puget Sound region while fishery managers work toward securing federal authorization. Salmon and steelhead fishing is closed in Puget Sound marine areas, and all fishing is closed in several lakes and sections of many rivers that flow into Puget Sound.
“Closed waters include several lakes where salmon and steelhead migrate, including Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Lake Union, Monte Cristo Lake, Barney Lake, and Lake Cushman. A complete list of affected waters is available on our website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/pugetsound_salmon_update/.
“Closing fisheries in the Puget Sound region was not a step we took lightly. WDFW understands the hardship this places on communities that rely on recreational and commercial fisheries. We also understand the frustration of sport anglers, some of whom gathered to protest tribal fisheries that began last week in parts of Puget Sound.
“Some people have suggested that anglers should break the law and go fishing in closed areas, or interfere with tribal fisheries. We strongly disagree. Such actions would do far more harm than good. And, in fact, the state agrees that tribal fisheries in Puget Sound this spring will not threaten ESA-listed fish stocks.
“For those reasons, I urge everyone to follow current rules and to avoid interfering with tribal fisheries. Breaking state fishing laws or interfering with treaty fishing would only complicate the process of opening state fisheries and most certainly would impair our ability to work with the tribes in the future.
“The breakdown in this year’s negotiations demonstrates that we need to improve the process of setting salmon seasons. We support co-management of the state’s shared resources and believe the state and tribes are far more effective when we work together to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitat. WDFW is committed to working with the tribes to improve the process and help ensure our state’s resources are sustainable for future generations.”
