Northwest Fishing Reports

O K we just came back from Astoria from fishing for 7 days, bad..very few fish.... but my question stems from an incident that happened, while releasing a nice king, with a fin, a seal took part of it from my hand.....now I am left with a nice chunk of king, with the fin. Could I have kept that part, nice stakes? I just dropped it and let it float away..........we lost several nice finned cohos also, the seals were following our boat most of the day and had a blast...lost some gear also along with another king........really ticks me off to let fish go and watch the seals rip them up............thanks.

seals eat fish, that is what they do, eat fish, nature tells them to eat fish, so they do, eat fish.




Now, WE eat too, so WE should just shoot the seals. But then crabs like to eat also, so we should let the crabs eat the seals.


Leaves that many more fish for US. And the crabs are very happy.


(same with the sea lions...)

seals eat fish, that is what they do, eat fish, nature tells them to eat fish, so they do, eat fish.




Now, WE eat too, so WE should just shoot the seals. But then crabs like to eat also, so we should let the crabs eat the seals.


Leaves that many more fish for US. And the crabs are very happy.


(same with the sea lions...)

That's going to be my kid's bedtime story from now on.

I agree, but could I have kept that part of the fish?????

Yes, if it was legal to keep a salmon with a fin, then it's yours, you caught it, the seal only modified it.

No, it would not be legal to keep that portion of the fish left with you. Currently it needs to be a fin clipped fish and you must be able to prove it is a fin clipped fish. Further, say you brought a hatchery fish next to the boat and a seal takes the back end including the adipose fin. You're left with a nice section of fish with no way to prove it was clipped, back in the river it must go.

This falls under the State wide general rule of:

You May: Clean or portion fish or shellfish while in the field with the following exceptions: It is unlawful for an angler to fail to retain proof of compliance with species, size, number, weight, sex, or wild or hatchery origin restriction, if such restrictions apply, until the angler is ashore and has finished fishing for the day. For all ROCKFISH species and for fish with a length restriction, anglers must retain the fish carcass until coming ashore to comply with the above rule. This does not apply if the catch is in the process of being prepared for immediate consumption.

seal season would be fun, wonder if the are good to eat under all that blubber has to be something called steaks and back strap LOL

That's why a friend of mine has firecrackers on his boat...........

18ftTrophy wrote:That's why a friend of mine has firecrackers on his boat...........

Your friend would do well to abstain from using them - as it would be an expensive fine.

Marine mammals in general are protected under federal law from anything considered harassment.

Just sayin'

OnMyGame

fisherman are allowed to haze seals that are chasing their fish that are hooked up. just have to use non-lethal methods, paintball guns are pretty effective

spokey9 wrote:fisherman are allowed to haze seals that are chasing their fish that are hooked up. just have to use non-lethal methods, paintball guns are pretty effective

Do you have a link to an official rule for that? I have not been able to find one. The only places I have heard it is in forums but no links to any official ok.

I like the idea of using a paintball gun, but am not at all interested in a huge fine for doing that.

You'll find it on the NOAA site, you just have to dig a bit. Here is a link to get you started.

http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov ... teller.pdf

Thanks!

I had no idea NOAA handled that sort of thing.

I wonder if WDFW is who you would contact to check on local rules?

thans G-Man, i was having trouble finding were it was listed again

Has anyone checked with WDFW or anyone else at the state level to see if there are any local modifications to these rules?

For example I wouldnt be surprised if there is a general ban on fireworks or at least cherry bombs for example.......

Im also wondering how wise it would be to be brandishing certain paintball guns when the Coast Guard or police boats are out cruising for terrorists. I can hear the Ch 16 emergency calls now when some distant boater sees you and calls in "man firing automatic rifle on boat near Vashon Ferry!"

Onmygame wrote:

18ftTrophy wrote:That's why a friend of mine has firecrackers on his boat...........

Your friend would do well to abstain from using them - as it would be an expensive fine.

Marine mammals in general are protected under federal law from anything considered harassment.

Just sayin'

OnMyGame

OnMyGame you're Off your game. Know the law if you're going to preach it.

See above mentioned link.

Stated on NOAA webiste listed under

WHO MAY DETER SEA LIONS OF SEALS:
Commercial and Recreational Fishermen – Fishermen can deter seals and sea lions from damaging gear or depredating catch, only if they are actively fishing.

http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov ... ng_qa.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Listed under NOISE MAKERS:
Noise Makers:
• horns, whistles, bells
• electronic acoustic devices (Acoustic
Harassment Devices)
• clapping, banging on pots, pans, drums;
empty aluminum cans on a string banging
together
• music
• starter pistols
• pyrotechnics (e.g., bird screamers, bangers,
firecrackers)
• propane canons

http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov ... teller.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It also says this:

Note: Some of the methods listed (such as loud noise or pyrotechnics) may not be appropriate for use in some areas, or are subject to prohibition under federal, state or local ordinances. The presence of ESA listed species (marine mammals or fish) in some areas may advise against the use of certain methods. Please consult with appropriate authorities to determine if such prohibitions exist in your area, or if ESA listed species may be encountered.

Thats why I asked above if anyone had actually checked with any of the state and local authorities, Coast Guard, etc.......

Matt -

You should read the first link you posted -

The MMPA generally prohibits the harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of marine mammals, or any attempt to engage in such activities.

And while there are provisions for sport fishermen 'deterring' NON Protected mammals while Actively Fishing from Damaging Gear or Depredating Catch - there are even More provisions on why they may not.

Still,

OnMyGame

Grabbing at straws.

Taken from the EXACT SAME paragraph you quoted.

"However, the law does contain exceptions authorizing certain people under certain circumstances to deter marine mammals from damaging private property, including fishing gear and catch, so long as the methods used do not result in the death or serious injury of an animal."

Just admit when you're wrong and move on.