Favorite San Juan fishing holes under attack by legislation

[luvmystang67]

EDIT: Apparently its a No-Wake Zone rather than a No-Go Zone this time.  No wake, up to 1 mile from shore.  Therefore you can still fish, but your movement will be significantly restricted.

NOAA would like to establish up to a 1 mile buffer zone from Snug Harbor to Cattle Point to protect the whales.  A NO WAKE zone to keep noise from bothering the whales.  If you enjoy fishing, this would impact fishing off of Pile Point, Eagle Point and any other location along the west side of the island that your likely frequent for fish.  If you run close to shore for boating safety, you'll probably also find issue with this.  PLEASE COMMENT if you have an option.

I love the whales as well, but I think there are better ways to protect them than to make the whole west side a no wake zone.  A similar proposal was attempted in 2009 as well and was not pursued due to the amount of public comment they received.

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0152-0001

http://www.islandguardian.com/archives/00006363.html

[jay.sharkbait]

EDIT: Apparently its a No-Wake Zone rather than a No-Go Zone this time.  No wake, up to 1 mile from shore.  Therefore you can still fish, but your movement will be significantly restricted.

NOAA would like to establish up to a 1 mile buffer zone from Snug Harbor to Cattle Point to protect the whales.  A NO WAKE zone to keep noise from bothering the whales.  If you enjoy fishing, this would impact fishing off of Pile Point, Eagle Point and any other location along the west side of the island that your likely frequent for fish.  If you run close to shore for boating safety, you'll probably also find issue with this.  PLEASE COMMENT if you have an option.

I love the whales as well, but I think there are better ways to protect them than to make the whole west side a no wake zone.  A similar proposal was attempted in 2009 as well and was not pursued due to the amount of public comment they received.

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0152-0001

http://www.islandguardian.com/archives/00006363.html

That would be interesting when the current is running hard.

[pianoman9701]

I get so tired of seeing the Center for Biological Diversity on every bill or rule that seeks to limit human access. They should just call the group simply Animals Never U.S. Sportsmen (A.N.U.S.S).

[Night goat]

I fish off of my sailboat... I can go as fast as I want, or as fast as the boat is capable of going... whatever happens first.. perfect trolling speeds tho...

[lokidog]

I have no problem with a no wake zone, a 5mph speed limit was what I suggested last time around.

It needs to be enforced on the"natives" as well.  They are the only ones I've actually seen blow through the Orcas.....

[luvmystang67]

I have no problem with a no wake zone, a 5mph speed limit was what I suggested last time around.

It needs to be enforced on the"natives" as well.  They are the only ones I've actually seen blow through the Orcas.....

This isn't just when orcas are present, this is at all times that you'd normally be out on the water.  If you're fishing at the hole at eagle point and want to try pile point, you can troll out 1 mile, run up to pile point, and then troll into pile point from there.  If the whales are 20 miles away, you still have to do this.  Often we run well within 1 mile from shore for safety purposes (if your engine stalls) or from protection from the wind when the waves get big.  I fail to see how running a no wake zone at all times will help increase whale populations.

If they really want to do something major, why dont they close down chinook retention. 

You know there'll be nature nazis sitting on their waterfront porch waiting to glass and turn people in for this.

[lokidog]

I still have no problem with this, maybe suggest a half mile. At five mph, you would add, at most, 24 minutes to your trip, and that's if you are in shore.  More annoying would be having to troll out to run back up current, however a benefit of this would be no a-holes trying to knock you out of your boat with their wakes. And really, one would rarely be adding even half that time to their trip.

In my opinion, it makes much more sense for fishermen to come off as being environmentally aware and caring than so self-centered that we can't be inconvenienced to give the Orcas a break. We don't have a Right to fish where we want, so far, it is still a privelage. I can see the whackos getting their way by having WDFW create a no fishing "conservation" zone in this area, would This be preferred?

This MUST include native boats as well though!

[Bean Counter]

I get so tired of seeing the Center for Biological Diversity on every bill or rule that seeks to limit human access. They should just call the group simply Animals Never U.S. Sportsmen (A.N.U.S.S).

 

so mad i didn't think of this first!   

[JimmyHoffa]

Could they add a weather clause?  Certain knot wind or height of chop?  Not that a safe captain would steer for hazardous seas over upsetting orcas, but for the barney fifes that would chase him down to give him his bill.

[bigtex]

This is not legislation but rather an agency rule. It will not be voted on by the WA Legistlature or the US Congress. Basically NOAA/NMFS will decide upon themselves if this were to take effect, and this authority has been granted to them by....Congress.

Realistically, I see this as a first step towards what Florida has in "Manatee Protection Areas." In FL there are state MPAs and federal MPAs, realistically they are the same just different agencies oversee them. Manatees are managed by the USFWS so they oversee the federal MPAs. MPAs have stricter rules when it comes to boat speeds, lengths of boats that can enter them, and even when a boat can enter the area. You actually see USFWS Officers and Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers on boat patrol with radar guns writing speeding tickets for boaters who go to fast in MPAs.

[jay.sharkbait]

Could they add a weather clause?  Certain knot wind or height of chop?  Not that a safe captain would steer for hazardous seas over upsetting orcas, but for the barney fifes that would chase him down to give him his bill.

It would need to be a sea state thing. Haro strait can get pretty bad when the current is running against the wind and it doesn't take a lot of wind.

[lokidog]

Could they add a weather clause?  Certain knot wind or height of chop?  Not that a safe captain would steer for hazardous seas over upsetting orcas, but for the barney fifes that would chase him down to give him his bill.

It would need to be a sea state thing. Haro strait can get pretty bad when the current is running against the wind and it doesn't take a lot of wind.

If it's too rough to be a mile out or going 5mph, you might want to rethink even being out there....   

[jay.sharkbait]

Could they add a weather clause?  Certain knot wind or height of chop?  Not that a safe captain would steer for hazardous seas over upsetting orcas, but for the barney fifes that would chase him down to give him his bill.

It would need to be a sea state thing. Haro strait can get pretty bad when the current is running against the wind and it doesn't take a lot of wind.

If it's too rough to be a mile out or going 5mph, you might want to rethink even being out there....   

Yeah, but it can go from being flat and manageable to marginal with a tide change.

You know how fast the current can run on that side of San Juan. A 5kt limit would be a bummer at times. Would this limit apply to sailboats or just stinkpots?

[lokidog]

You know the old saying, swim across the current, not into it....

I'm guessing sailboats quietly slicing through the water would have even less of an impact than fishing boats trolling.  Better watch those kayakers though, they'll take advantage of every loophole.