I received this update from NOAA yesterday:

You inquired about the status of the ESA consultation on the 2016 Puget Sound salmon fisheries this morning. My colleague passed your question on to me as I am the lead staff on the project. We received the harvest plan on June 3 and anticipate completing the consultation by the end of June.

I realize everyone is frustrated and want to assure you this is a high priority. Our leadership has asked folks to clear their desks for this project. However, it is a pretty complicated analysis as we need to evaluate the effects of the fisheries on 6 listed species including Southern Resident killer whales which amounts to about 200 pages of work. This is probably cold comfort, but wanted to explain why it takes a bit of time.

Please feel free to give me a call if you have any additional questions,
Susan


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Susan Bishop
Puget Sound/Washington Coastal Harvest Management Team Leader
NOAA Fisheries Service - Salmon Management Division
206-526-4587
susan.bishop@noaa.gov