Conservation areas closed to bottomfish and halibut retention

Action: It is unlawful to fish for or possess bottomfish and halibut taken for personal use in the South Coast Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) and the Westport Offshore YRCA in Marine Area 2. The South Coast YRCA and the Westport Offshore YRCA are defined by the following coordinates:

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South Coast YRCA
46 degrees 58.00'N lat. 124 degrees 48.00'W long
46 degrees 55.00'N lat. 124 degrees 48.00'W long
46 degrees 55.00'N lat. 124 degrees 49.00'W long
46 degrees 58.00'N lat. 124 degrees 49.00'W long

Westport Offshore YRCA 46 degrees 54.30'N lat. 124 degrees 53.40'W long
46 degrees 54.30'N lat. 124 degrees 51.00'W long
46 degrees 53.30'N lat. 124 degrees 51.00'W long
46 degrees 53.30'N lat. 124 degrees 53.40'W long

Effective date: March 14, 2009 until further notice.

Species affected:   All species of bottomfish, including lingcod and halibut.

Location:   Marine Area 2 (see the Fishing in Washington rule pamphlet, online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/fishregs.htm , for area descriptions).

Reason for action:   Canary and yelloweye rockfish are two of eight overfished groundfish stocks, which are managed under rebuilding plans by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.  The Pacific Council has adopted harvest guidelines for canary rockfish for state recreational fisheries to ensure that rebuilding goals are achieved.