OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting two virtual public meetings this spring to discuss management options for coastal recreational bottomfish, including rockfish, lingcod and other non-salmon species, in 2023 and 2024.

The first of these meetings will be held on Wednesday, March 16, while the second will take place on Tuesday, May 3. Both meetings start at 2 p.m.

West Coast bottomfish are managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) on a biennial management cycle. PFMC is currently considering harvest levels -- annual catch limits -- and management measures such as seasons and bag limits that will affect Washington coastal bottomfish fisheries in 2023-24.

The purpose of the Wednesday, March 16 meeting is to review options for the coastal recreational bottomfish season prior to PFMC’s April meeting, when the council will adopt recommendations for public review.

The purpose of the Tuesday, May 3 meeting is to consider the recommendations and hear input from the public on Washington coastal recreational bottomfish fishery prior to the PFMC’s June 2022 meeting when final regulations will be adopted.

WDFW hosted two earlier meetings in October 2021 and January 2022 to provide stakeholders with an overview of PFMC’s biennial process for bottomfish, as well as harvest trends and new abundance information for several stocks.

The spring meetings will be conducted virtually on Microsoft Teams. To participate, visit the meeting link, or call in to the meeting and then enter the meeting ID.

• March 16, 2022

Call-in: 564-999-2000
Meeting ID: 569371062#

• May 3, 2022

Call-in:  564-999-2000 
Meeting ID: 140310854#

For more information, visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/halibut. The meetings will be recorded and posted online so people can also watch afterwards at their convenience.

For more information on bottomfish management, visit PFMC’s website at https://www.pcouncil.org/managed_fishery/groundfish/.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.