Other Species

 
Sea Urchin
 
Strongylocentrotus franciscanus,
Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
 
The primary fishing season for both the red and green urchin fishery is between September and February. Projected harvestable allocations are based on historical data and a population model developed by WDFW. The commercial sea urchin fishery is managed by fishing districts and upper and lower size restrictions. The minimum size for green sea urchins is 2.25 inches and red sea urchins smaller than 4.0 inches or larger than 5.5 inches (size in largest test diameter exclusive of spines).
 
Sea Cucumber
 
Parastichopus californicus
 
The sea cucumber fishery in divided into 5 management regions: San Juan, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Central Puget Sound, Hood Canal, South Puget Sound. The harvest season is between May 1 and April 30th. The harvestable amount is determined using a catch per unit effort based harvest rate. There are no maximum or minimum size restrictions for sea cucumbers. Sea Cucumbers are harvested by divers using surface supplied air or self contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA).
 
Octopus
 
Octopus dofleini
 
The octopus fishery is thought to be underutilized. The State and Tribes agreed to passively manage the fishery and not strictly adhere to the 50% treaty right until the fishery becomes fully utilized. However, there is little information on the Puget Sound population, total harvest amounts, and recruitment information to fully make a determination when the fishery is fully utilized. This is a directed pot fishery and is also commercially sold as incidental catch in other fisheries.
 
Scallop
 
Chlamys rubida, Chlamys hastada
 
The scallop management agreement between the Tribes and the State expired September 1, 1999 and there has not been any interest in the commercial fishery to develop a new agreement. Similar to the octopus fishery, the commercial scallop fishery is not fully utilized and does not strictly adhere to the 50% treaty right. In addition, the fishery must abide by the shellfish sanitation agreement and the National Shellfish Sanitation Manual in terms of growing area openings and biotoxin (PSP) testing.
 
Squid
 
Loligo Opalescens
 
The squid management agreement between the Tribes and the State was signed in 2005 and will be in effect through December 31, 2010. The squid fishery is thought to be underutilized. This is a primarily a State recreational fishery. Although the recreational harvest is believed to be substantial, there is currently no estimate on the amount being harvested. The State and the Tribes have agreed to implement a joint effort during the 2006 season to assess the recreational harvest.