SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Fishing boats south of Alki Point

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to James Bratsanos for the photos of a cluster of fishing boats south off Alki Point today. Online research suggested they’re likely looking for lingcod, and state Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Chase Gunnell confirmed it: “Yes, May 1 is the annual lingcod fishing opener for recreational anglers in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Rockpiles and reefs off Alki Point and Blake Island are popular fishing spots for these predatory and delicious bottomfish.”

Gunnell also notes you can find out more about lingcod fishing here.

937 May 1, 2023 (2:35 pm)

These boats appear to be hovering over a “fish haven” obstruction (on nautical charts “Obstn”)

According to NOAA, a “fish haven” is an artificial device to attract and hold fish. These can consist of rubble piles, concrete blocks, subway cars and even planes!

Has anyone ever dove on this? What is it, exactly?

No More May 1, 2023 (5:50 pm)

I fished our local waters for decades. Over that time I saw less and less fish. I called it quits about 20 years ago. Yes I’m old. I saw a huge depletion of both salmon and bottom fish just in one lifetime.

Michael May 1, 2023 (9:37 pm)

Similar stories of overfishing are common. Very sad.

Chris May 2, 2023 (8:52 am)

Important to realize that fishery management has changed a lot in the last several decades. A slot limit applies to lingcod fishing, only fish between 26 and 36 inches in length may be retained. This protects the larger females that are over 36 inches and juvenile fish. The majority of lingcod over 36 inches are female, this protects the egg layers into the future. Additionally, only 1 ling cod per person per day is allowed to be kept, and the season is a short 6 weeks.

Keith May 2, 2023 (10:24 am)

One would surmise that since our world is so interconnected, data flows almost freely and instantaneously; with todays technology, problems with over fishing shouldn’t exist. Take into consideration the amount fished product that passes through to the numbers of independent large corporations who produce all of that market. They are allowed to account for a loss of product that will be lost in the chain and that is “written off” at years end. However what about the products that don’t sell and end up as waste? They’ve produced too much for the year….and because of their own incorrect speculations they’re not per se punished on the contrary they’ll be the potential to be rewarded. So why then have we not been able to stop the over fishing issues? Seems like the solution to ensure that future stocks will actually be there, is to limit what is taken based on what demand was for the prior year, wouldn’t it be? Because I don’t have faith in a system that despite all popular claims is said to regulate itself based on simple market demand forces. Greed is powerful and yet its so subjective to individual beliefs and interpretations that even when the most rational people are told otherwise, likely be dismissive of it as being them….so they essentially double down on their greed, how crazy is that? Orr how crazy is it that I do not even eat fish or even consume seafood products – and I’ve spent a considerable amount of time authoring this post for no other reason to say Yeah boomers wrecked the world because future generations be damned? I’ve ramble long enough Ol Mary Todd is hollering

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