SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Test fishing

James Borrow, who often shares photos of interesting offshore sights, photographed that boat off Alki on Tuesday. We asked the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife what kind of research its crew was doing. Here’s what WDFW’s Chase Gunnell found out for us: “Our understanding is that boat is contracted by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to do test fishing (also known as catch sampling) for Puget Sound winter Chinook (also known as blackmouth) and other salmon in coordination with WDFW during the ongoing Marine Area 10 winter salmon season.” That season opened on New Year’s Day and is scheduled to run through the end of March, allowing fishing on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, with a daily limit of one salmon. Gunnell says WDFW has its own boat out test-fishing those three days, as well, and has staff doing spot checks at area boat ramps including Don Armeni – here are the charts of what they’ve found.

SIDE NOTE: This past weekend, we learned from Gunnell, some of the people fishing off West Seattle were participating in the annual Tengu Blackmouth Derby – a derby with an 85-year history. Here’s the story.

9 Replies to "SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Test fishing"

  • anonyme January 13, 2022 (9:18 am)

    There is so much hypocrisy here that I hardly know where to begin.  Blackmouth Chinook is just one of a variety of chinook that orcas rely on for survival.   The fact that there is a season for it at all is appalling.  And does anyone really think that fishermen are going to limit their catches to ONE fish, especially when there is a contest for the largest fish caught?  This is yet more evidence that the lip service given to the cause of saving endangered killer whales is yet more meaningless BS.  A species cannot be “saved” through starvation.

    • Carl Wassilie January 13, 2022 (6:32 pm)

      The biggest hypocrisy is the multibillion dollar factor trawler industry operating from Seattle to destroy Chinooks for the last 70 years.    My peeps have been fishing for 10,000 years minimum.   So your limited knowledge of reality is like a bomb to keep us Real Humans or First Peoples quiet for your Genocide.   No different than the American Bison.    I’m not gonna glorify the system that America imposed for the last 200 years when we had a 10,000 year record for the White Man to exploit for industrial gain.    The facts are there.    The Trawlers from Seattle are the biggest threat to any recovery anywhere.     It’s like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.   They are destroying our lives as Indigenous Peoples for their private corporate gain.   

      • Carly January 13, 2022 (7:28 pm)

        Carl- very well said . ♥️

      • anonyme January 14, 2022 (7:54 am)

        Carl, I absolutely agree with most of what you have to say.  There’s no need for insult; not only are we not enemies, but I’m guessing that we’re even on the same side.  I highly doubt that you are on the side of extinction, which is what we’re talking about – and that includes indigenous people. The Lummi, as I’m sure you’re aware, have even developed a plan to feed the orca, setting up feeding stations and sacrificing their own catch.  Chinook populations could be restored, and hopefully whale populations with them, but not without sharply curtailing commercial (and sporting) operations. 

      • John January 14, 2022 (12:00 pm)

        Playing victim helps no one, but hurts yourself. The problem isn’t who was here first. fact: habitats are destroyed to make room for houses. This has happened on the Rhine and river Themes. Europe has already destroyed their native species, we aren’t far behind. The US largely supports the concept of single family to build out rather than up at the cost of many things, fish being one. Power generation, protecting marine mammals (sea lions) through the “safe harbor” prevents them from venturing into the open ocean to risk being eaten by orcas, over fishing, gill nets, Costco’s drive to encourage over consumption…etc. No one solution will fix the plethora of issues, a wholistic strategy must be established at every Avenue of government and the people to protect our natural resources. 

  • Big Billy January 13, 2022 (5:29 pm)

    Several years ago the consensus amongst most biologists was starvation was not the main factor in the orcas decline.The hypocrosy lies in those who criticize who drive cars, live in a house, turn on a light switch, accept capitalism, etc.  I have a feeling your one of them, just like everyone else

    • anonyme January 14, 2022 (8:03 am)

      “Most” biologists?  I think not.  While there’s no doubt that there are many factors contributing to the decline of the southern residents, starvation due to dwindling Chinook populations looms large.  Pollution, shipping noise, size and number of vessels, fluctuating pod size – it is far too complex an issue to address in a comments section.  BTW, I have never owned a car, have solar and am frugal with power (and consumption in general), and do not accept capitalism.  That’s a whole lot of assumptions you’ve got there, Billy boy.  And it’s “you’re” not “your”.

  • Harley January 14, 2022 (6:34 am)

    Starvation. Original people.  The White Man. Bezos and Gates. Ok, so it’s a game of tattletale then?  I will tattle: you all are ignorant and full of cognitive dissonance and self-centred pious. Do something to help solve the problem at hand. Get more green. Recycle more. Use less carbon. Use less plastic. Flush your toilet less. Eat more organically farmed veggies. Act!  

    • Big Billy January 15, 2022 (6:40 pm)

      Flush your toilet less?  Hmmm….ok

Sorry, comment time is over.