The following was taken out of the WDFW press release that just came out. Today, I also rec'd a letter discussing the new proposal to close waters around Neah Bay for rockfish/halibut fishing.

The second paragraph of the letter says:

"WDFW has received a proposal from one of our Commissioners to create a recreational fishing closure in Marine Catch Area 4 for bottomfish and Pacific halibut. The closed area would provide protection for bottomfish while providing a world class destination for divers to view a cold water marine ecosystem. Enclosed is a map and list of coordinates that describes where this area would be located."

I've been informed that Commissioner Jennings is the source of the proposal.

The east end coodinates are 124.38.130W (Koitlah Point) and the west end is 124.45.155W then southerly to 124.44.547W and southeasterly to land fall at 124.43.514W which is just N of Cape Flattery.

The North boundary on the east end is 48.24.457N and 48.24.340N on the west end.

Duncan Rock falls inside the closure as does Tatoosh Island and the islets to the west of Tatoosh.

WDFW accepting comments through Dec. 1
on 2010-12 sportfishing rule proposals
OLYMPIA - There's still time for people to provide comments to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on state sportfishing rules proposed for 2010-12.
WDFW will accept written comments on the proposals through Dec. 1. The proposed rules include several measures designed to protect fish and shellfish.
Among them is a recently added proposal that would close fishing for bottomfish and halibut off the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. The proposed closure, which would extend 1.5 miles offshore and stretch about 4 miles from Cape Flattery east to Neah Bay, would provide additional protection for bottomfish and halibut in the area while establishing a world-class destination for divers.
That new proposed rule, as well as more than 100 other proposals, is available on the department's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/rule_proposals/index.htm . Printed copies of the proposals are available by contacting WDFW's Fish Program at (360) 902-2700.


I don't know which Commissioner made the proposal, but I'm trying to find out. It seems to me that the proposal is a little bit late to be entered into the regulation process.

If item #10 passes, it would cover much of the same area except it would end at the Bonilla-Tatoosh line and leave Duncan Rock in an open area for bottomfishing.

Dont lose any sleep over it. You going to Olympia?

David Jennings

Governor Gregoire appointed David to the Commission in June 2009. David has a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources in Wildlife Management and a Masters of Public Health in Biostatistics. He works as an Environmental Public Health professional.

David volunteers with a number of conservation organizations including Black Hills Audubon Society and the Gifford Pinchot Task Force. He has served on several state and federal advisory boards addressing wildlife and habitat issues, including WDFW’s Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council, the U.S. Forest Service’s Southwest Washington Provincial Advisory Council, and the North Gifford Pinchot Resource Advisory Committee.

David is an avid birder, wildlife watcher, and scuba diver. He is a member of REEF’s Pacific Northwest Advanced Assessment Team and helps conduct underwater surveys of marine fish and invertebrates from the Salish Sea down to Monterey Bay. David lives in Olympia with his wife, Jan.

(CURRENT TERM: June 18, 2009 - Dec. 31, 2014)

Won't be in Olympia, but will try to make the meeting in Port Townsend. My concern over the proposal is the late addition to the regulation process. I wonder if the Makah were brought into the discussion since the waters border their reservation and non-tribal sport fishing is a source of income....

I'll lose sleep over it. Not only because of the issue of the proposed closure but the process. It may be perfectly fine, but it certainly doesn't feel like it.

Here's the proposed closure area.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/rule_proposals/sportfishing_rule_proposals_2010-12.pdf

If all the regulations pass, and the Rockfish Conservation Plan goes through unscathed, I'll save a bunch of money on motorhome and boat fuel, camping fees and bait.

Here's my concern over the late addition by Commissioner Jennings. From the WDFW website, the deadline for all proposals for the current regualtion process was June 1. Staff, advisors, and the public needs the time to work through the process. Bringing a major change at this late date is not fair to those who have been working the process as outlined below.



Timeline for 2010-2012 Sport Rule Adoption Process (Major Cycle)

April 1, 2009
Postcards and e-mails sent out referring participants to website describing process, guidelines, and noting how to request printed materials

June 1
All proposals due

July
Provide information to Advisory Groups regarding proposals and solicit their input

August
Department approves proposal package for public distribution

August
Brief Fish and Wildlife Commission Fish Committees

September 16
Public notified that proposals are available for comment

September 29 - October 13
Regional public meetings to discuss proposals

October 2-3
CANCELLED - Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting (Olympia) - brief Commission on proposals

November 6-7
Brief commission on proposals

Dec 1
Last day for mail or e-mail testimony to be received

Dec 4-5
Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting (Olympia) – take public testimony on proposals

December
Provide info to Advisory groups

December
Department meetings to develop final recommendations

Bushbear -
I agree with you. Allowing new proposals at this late date undermines the whole process and places those that "play by the rules" at a disadvantage.

Tight lines
Curt

Wonder if the supporters of this closure have ever been to this area, this closure makes no sense whatsoever.

Not sure if the proposal is intended to eliminate fishing opportunity, increase mortality rate of recreational fishermen, ruin local economies, or destroy relations with the tribes. Would accomplish all of these.

Why would our state government pursue such divisive and reckless policies?

Guess you have to ask Commissioner Jennings as this idea came from him.

I just got off the phone. I have it from one who knows, that the proposal is in fact from Jennings. It was submitted only recently, well after the deadline. It was allowed because the director himself decided that it would be allowed. The person I spoke to said that if I had submitted a proposal after the deadline it would not have even been considered. The person to which I spoke is not happy with the decision.
We must be heard. I am going to Email now and then snail mail.
This entire situation stinks.

Several divers spoke last night in favor of the rockfish plan and MPAs. Staff indicated greater interest/opportunity in the future for looking at the pretty fish. This seems to be a huge expansion on that thought by a new Commissioner. Lots of resistance to MPAs from the sport fishing folks who want any recovery related zones to be science driven as to the intended goal and to have periodic reviews and to incorporate sunset clauses. Keep looking for the hidden agenda!

Commissioner Jennings' timing is terrible in terms of public perception of the PSRCP and MR/MPAs as a tool therein as well as the integrity of the rule making process.

I just sent this to Lori.Preuss@dfw.wa.gov

It has come to my attention that Commissioner Jennings has submitted a rule change proposal well after the June 1 deadline and that his proposal has been included in the major cycle. This proposal and all other proposals that were received after the deadline must be dropped from consideration, that is if you hope to have any public respect in the process.
It is beyond belief that the department can be so flippant with any part of the process and still expect even a modicum of respect from the populace.

Confict of interest ? Poor timing ? Corrupppppp oh whatever.

Seems to me letters to Governor and Senators are in order.

I’ve gone over the map of the proposed area and find that I have several questions and comments that I think are relative.

First off, I believe that adding this proposal at this time is not fair to others who conformed to the time schedule.

It may be appropriate to address this for a future year.

I haven’t fish portions of the proposed area in recent years, but have fished it extensively over 30 years ago both as a sport and commercial hand line jigger.

Much of this area is not heavily fished and does not offer the best rockfish habitat in the region.

Along the shoreline there are areas that hold China Rockfish, Kelp Greenling and some lingcod. Black Rockfish move in and out of the area seasonally.

This would be in the area between Koitlah Point, and out to the Hole in the Wall
There are areas where fishing on the eastside of Tatoosh is productive for Black Rockfish, AKA seabass,

I can see the desirability for Scuba Divers along the shoreline, particularly in sheltered areas on Cape Flattery.

Duncan Rocks is considered one of the best dives in the area according to my daughter and son-in-law who are skilled divers.

There are some tremendous tidal currents in this area that should be considered by both divers and sport fishermen.

Duncan Rock has been one of the most popular landmarks for bottom fishermen offering schools of Black Rockfish, Yellowtail Rockfish frequently caught near the surface.

I would question closing the area around Tatoosh Island and Duncan Rocks to sport fishing as it is sometimes one of the few areas that can be fished dependent on the weather, particularly the back side of Tatoosh

The actual shoreline along the side of Cape Flattery inside the Strait and east of Tatoosh would offer excellent diving opportunities and unless it has changed since I fished there many years ago is not comparable to other locations, particularly on the open ocean side and down the coastline reachable by sport fishing boats.

Establishing a no bottom fishing zone along the Strait from Koitlah Point to just short of Tatoosh might be desirable for the diving community. I personally would not be opposed to establishment of a no bottom fishing zone along the shoreline inside the Strait, however question establishing it out one and one-half miles from the shoreline.

Most of this offshore area sees little bottom fishing pressure to begin with.

Koitlah Point is a known halibut holding area. Closing bottom fishing there would restrict some opportunities, but would likely effect only a small number of sport fishermen.

This proposal needs time for study and input by fishermen who currently fish the area, charter operators that fish this particular area and scientist who have studied the area before any decisions are to be made.

These are just my personal observations, I would urge people who currently fish this area, or scientist that have studies the bottom fish populations to comment.

Respectfully,

Doug Wilson AKA Sebastes

The WDFW website has a page dedicated to the Sportfishing Rule Proposals. As of today, 5 Nov, in the text of that page is a sentence that clearly identifies that two proposals were added on 24 September and directs readers to the end of the document. There is NO reference in the text to any other proposals having been added.

However, looking at the link to the document on the same page there is, in small letters, words indicating that it had been changed 16 October. No indication of where those changes are to be found in the document nor that the changes actually are added proposals to include the proposed closure.

If you go to these two new additions there is a large, bold heading of
Legislative Requirements and immediately following is #5 Columbia River Endorsements. Clearly this has to do with legislative requirements. Following that is an unnumbered heading "Proposed Bottomfish and Halibut Closure Area." One could read this as that the Neah Bay closure is a legislative requirement. Very sloppy or very devious.

Who is wrong in this travesty of the administrative process? The new Commissioner Jennings? Absolutely! He was aware of the time lines and decided to ask for special treatment (another ethics gaff by this guy) for a very self-serving request and also put the newly selected Director in a politically awkward position. How about Director Anderson? Of course, all he had to do was point to the administrative rule making process and say that he was sorry but that it was too late. Guess you don't say that to one of the folks who just hired you. My suggestion is that Mr. Jennings resign.

I have fished this area all of my life (which has a lot less to go than has been enjoyed to date) and as recently as April for a rockfishing trip. Weather was pretty sloppy outside and around Duncan so we spent most of our time in close to the rocks. Exactly those areas this outrageous proposal would exclude all of us from forever in order to provide a "world class dive site." Nothing prevents those divers from using those areas. They simply want their own aquarium in which to dive and make bubbles.

Folks need to look at the administrative process requirements and consider whether this process has been violated. Oh, Mr. Commissioner, I too have a proposal I would like to add.........

Well, lights are flickering so I had better cut this off and get it on its way.

I have selective reading......all I see, Larry, is that you used Commissioner Jennings and "tool" in the same sentence.

Good Enuf.

Good editing; take out all the extraneous words!