Commercial Fishing in Washington

Commercial fishing is one of Washington's largest industries.

Because of its location adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and the number of waterways and rivers flowing through the state, Washington has garnered a big reputation as a hotspot of fishing activity. Commercial fishing is a massive industry in the state, but there are many things to consider if you plan to get into the business or simply learn more about it.

Licensing

All commercial fishermen in the state of Washington must be specifically licensed to engage in and profit from the activity. There are literally dozens of licenses available for commercial fishermen, each specially tailored to a type of fish or piece of equipment being used. Operating or catching outside of your licensed abilities can draw a hefty fine. Each license is obtained with a quick application process and payment of fees, which vary based on the license type. You can hold multiple licenses if you plan on commercially fishing for several types of fish in the Washington area.

Puget Sound

Washington provides a myriad of areas to participate in commercial fishing, but Puget Sound is perhaps the largest and most well-known. The Sound is home to large commercial fleets that fish for salmon year-round. Commercial fishing in the Sound is very common but very highly regulated. To fish for salmon here you must complete a training workshop and adhere to strict equipment standards in regards to the nets and buoys you can deploy. However, if you stay in the realm of these guidelines the payouts are often large, because the salmon population is plentiful all season.

Selective Fishing

Commercial fishing of salmon and other types of fish has drastically depleted some of their supplies in the waters around Washington. Because of this, the state has asked commercial fishermen to consider employing selective fishing tactics. This technique often involves using special equipment and fishing nets designed to catch targeted species of fish and keep them alive. By doing this the unwanted fish can be returned to the waters instead of wasted, and other species are not as frequently trapped in the nets in the first place. The state hopes that continued use of selective fishing will help repopulate the diminished salmon stocks in many of the lakes and rivers.

Danger

While commercial fishing can be a profitable and enjoyable experience, there is a level of danger to the job. Commercial fishing in widely considered one of the highest-risk industries, and participating in it in the Washington area poses its own challenges. The Puget Sound and surrounding rivers and lakes are frequently fished but also provide rough waters and frigid temperatures during much of the season. Falls overboard can quickly turn fatal and, because of the amount of heavy machinery and equipment involved, injuries are prevalent.

Treaty Tribe Fishing

Washington is unique in that the state's fishing and wildlife regulators also work with American Indian tribes in what is officially called the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. The commission is a joint effort between the state and the tribes that have long inhabited the area. The tribes work to help manage fishing throughout the state and set many of the regulations that commercial fishermen must abide by. If you plan on fishing commercially in Washington, you will find yourself not only operating under the guidelines these tribes maintain but also utilizing the resources and management services provided by the commission.

References

• Commercial Fishing in Washington
• About Selective Fishing
• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission