Puget Sound Groundfish staff are in the process of reviewing the status of the 20 groundfish species in Puget Sound. In 1997, WDFW issued the 1995 Status of Puget Sound Bottomfish Stocks (revised) (Palsson et al., 1997) which described the status and trends for 18 species or species groups of bottomfish. When sufficient and appropriate data were available, recent measures of stock abundance were compared to long-term means, and these comparisons were categorized into above average, average, below average, depressed, and critical measures of stock status. These stock status categories correspondingly range from populations that are healthy to populations that have poor productive capacity. The new assessment reported in the last TSC report was published in the Puget Sound Update 2000 (PSAT 2000) as a part of a comprehensive assessment of the status of the health of Puget Sound marine ecosystem. The assessment found that the majority of assessed groundfish populations are in poor condition in Puget Sound.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca is an arm of the Pacific Ocean shared by both the United States and Canada. Many of the resources harvested by commercial and recreational fisheries in the eastern of portion of the region have undergone severe declines which have prompted a number of fishery closures and consideration of seven species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a bottom trawl survey in the eastern Strait during spring 2000 which included both Washington and British Columbian (Canada) waters. The goals and objectives of this survey were to estimate the abundance and describe the distribution of key recreational and commercial groundfish and macroinvertebrate species, collect biological information from key species, and evaluate the relationship of abundance and distribution of key species to oceanographic features and the need for transboundary management.

The chartered F.V. Chasina was used as the sampling vessel which towed a 400 mesh Eastern net fitted with a 3 cm codend liner. Stations were selected with a stratified systematic approach based upon four depth zones for each of the country survey areas. The area sampled at each station was measured a with differential GPS and known net width openings. The catch from each trawl was identified, weighed, and enumerated, and the weights and numbers of each species were divided by the area sampled to estimate species densities. Abundances were estimated by averaging station densities within each stratum and multiplying these by the stratum area.

A total of 77 trawl stations were occupied and completed. Twenty five stations were occupied in British Columbia and 52 stations were sampled in the U.S. There were 179 living taxa identified including 76 species of fish and 102 species of invertebrates. Species richness was greater on the U.S. side with 70 fish species sampled compared to 49 species in Canada. There were 1,825 records of species which comprised a catch weight of over 22 mt and represented 59,000 individuals. Almost 26,000 individual fish were collected which weighed over 11 mt. Of note, juvenile lingcod and Pacific cod were especially common in Canadian samples, juvenile walleye pollock occurred throughout the study area, and Dungeness crab and English sole more frequent in the U.S. Strait of Juan de Fuca than in Canada. There were a series of samples collected for later analysis or archives. These collections included several hundred fin clips for the genetic analysis of walleye pollock, Pacific cod, lingcod, quillback rockfish, and copper rockfish; 48 laboratory samples of up to 50 English sole and 19 of starry flounder; and approximately 50 voucher specimens for positive fish identification. A series of fish samples were also collected for a food consumption study of marine pinnipeds.

Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program (PSAMP) (Contributed by Sandie O'Neill (360) 902-2843)

PSAMP is a multi-agency effort to monitor the health of Puget Sound. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife participates by monitoring toxic contaminants in Puget Sound fishes. To date, we have measured contaminant levels in English sole, Pacific cod, three species of demersal rockfish, Pacific herring, and chinook and coho salmon from a wide range of environments (polluted to clean). Geographic patterns of contaminants in these species were described. We have now completed focus studies in Elliott Bay, Sinclair Inlet and Commencement Bay, three of Puget Sound’s most highly contaminated areas. With these studies we have documented fine-scale distribution patterns of contaminants in English sole and rockfish, as well as the effects of contaminants on reproductive competence in English sole.

Papers on English sole, salmon and rockfish were presented at the 1998 Research in Puget Sound Conference (March 1998) in Seattle, Washington. Copies are available on-line at www.wa.gov/Puget_Sound or from PSAMP researchers.

Recently we have shown that English sole from urban and near urban areas were 2 to 33 times more likely to develop liver disease than fish from clean reference areas. Liver disease in English sole is strongly correlated with the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments, which originate from petroleum or from the combustion of fossil fuels. In addition, we have found from our six long-term Puget Sound sampling sites that the chances of English sole developing toxicant-related liver disease have increased roughly two-fold from 1989 to 1998 but then declined in 1999, in English sole from Elliott Bay (relative to clean reference sites). The risk of English sole developing liver disease has remained unchanged during this period in the five other areas (Commencement Bay, Sinclair Inlet, Everett, Hood Canal, and the Strait of Georgia). These results were presented as a poster the ’2001 Research in Puget Sound Conference (PSR’01, February 2001).

We have completed two samplings of contaminants in Pacific herring from three to five locations in Puget Sound and Canada (1999 and 2000). Herring from central and southern Puget Sound had significantly higher PCB concentrations in whole bodies than fish from northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. Exposure to PAH metabolites (measured as PAH metabolites in bile) were also elevated in herring from central and southern Puget Sound but not in fish from northern Puget Sound. In a collaborative study with National Marine Fisheries Service, we have also documented that English sole and quillback and brown rockfish from several locations in central Puget Sound are displaying evidence of endocrine disruption. We have also continued archiving tissues from Puget Sound groundfish and forage fish for future molecular genetics studies. The results on contaminant exposure in Pacific herring and endocrine disruption in rock fish and English sole were also presented at the (PSR’01) and the results will be published as extended abstracts in the upcoming proceedings.

Pacific Herring Fisheries (Contributed by Greg Bargmann (360) 902-2825)

Fisheries for adult herring remain closed throughout Washington waters. A small fishery for juvenile herring for use as bait continues to operate. Spawning abundance of herring continues to be generally increasing over the low levels seen throughout most of the 1990's. Spawning populations remain low at Cherry Point near Bellingham and at Discovery Bay in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Herring Stock Assessment (Contributed by Mark O'Toole (360) 466-4345 ext 241)

Annual herring spawning activity is currently just winding down at most spawning grounds, and spawning biomass estimates for 2001 are not yet available. Herring spawning activity in Washington State generally takes place from mid January to mid April, with the exception of the Cherry Point area where spawning occurs from early April to early June.

In 2000, herring spawning biomass estimates were made at nineteen spawning grounds in Puget Sound and two on the coast. Spawning biomass was estimated utilizing two different methods, spawn deposition surveys and acoustic-trawl surveys. Most spawning grounds were surveyed with either one method or the other, a few with both methods.

Washington State herring spawning biomass estimates, 1994 - 2000:

Spawning ground maps

The department received a grant from the Puget Sound Action Team to produce a report containing maps of all known spawning grounds of Pacific herring, sand lance and surf smelt in Puget Sound. Since these species spawn at fixed shallow water or intertidal areas, spawning grounds are at risk from human alterations. The report was designed as a reference for local governments, land use planners, developers and environmental groups. The reports have proven to be quite popular.

B. Coastal Area Activities

1. Coastal Groundfish Management (Contributed by Michele Robinson (360) 249-1211)

Council Activities

The Department contributes technical support for coastal groundfish management issues via participation on the Groundfish Management Team (GMT), the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), and the Habitat Steering Group (HSG) of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). The Department is also represented on the Scientific and Statistical Committee and Groundfish Plan Team of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC). Landings and fishery management descriptions for PFMC-managed groundfish are summarized annually by the GMT in the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) document.

The Council’s ad hoc Strategic Plan Oversight Committee met in January and March to discuss priorities for implementing the strategic plan which was adopted by the Council in November 2000. The following themes were identified as the four top priorities:

• Capacity Reduction
• Harvest Policy
• Marine Reserves
• Science

A buyback program is the preferred means for reducing capacity in the trawl fleet because a large reduction is needed to rationalize the fleet and the industry supports a buyback program. However, without Congressional help, a buyback program is unlikely as the Council and the industry does not have the means to do it. West Coast industry representatives are actively lobbying Congress for a buyback program; however, the Council agreed that, after June, trawl permit stacking as a means to reduce capacity should become a high priority and will discuss this further in June. An ad hoc Marine Reserves Implementation Development Team met in February to develop a plan (process and budget) to develop siting criteria to implement marine reserves on the West Coast. The budget proposal for $4.7 million (over three years) was submitted to Congress for approval, but the Council has not received a reply to date.

The Pacific Council approved a canary rockfish rebuilding plan that will limit total coastwide fishery impacts on the canary stock to 93 mt annually for the next two years. The plan envisions a 57-year rebuilding period; the actual length of time to rebuild the stock depends upon its future reproductive success and annual catch levels. The adopted rebuilding period is based on a constant annual catch and a precautionary assumption of reproductive success. The Council seriously considered a more pessimistic recruitment forecast that resulted in an annual catch near 60 mt, which would have virtually shut down all commercial groundfish fishing on the continental shelf. In the end, however, the Council adopted a slight less pessimistic forecast for two years. During that time, the National Marine Fisheries Service will conduct another survey of the groundfish resources and the new information will be incorporated into an updated assessment in 2002. During 2001 and 2002, sport and commercial fisheries will be managed not to exceed preseason targets of 44 mt each, the remaining 5 mt to be used for research sampling, if necessary. The plan calls for annual review of the various fisheries that take canary rockfish and includes a mandatory review of the entire plan after two years. All sources of canary rockfish fishing mortality must be considered towards the allowed impact level, including bycatch in the Pacific whiting fishery, the salmon troll fishery, and the pink shrimp trawl fishery.

The Council also approved a cowcod rebuilding plan limiting fishery impacts to one percent per year (2.4 mt for 2001), a 95-year rebuilding period, and the use of area closures south of Pt. Conception to reduce bycatch mortality. In 2001, cowcod will be managed as a prohibited species for all commercial and recreational fishers, and the Council will request the State of California to prohibit fishing in the closed area for state-managed species.

A first draft of the rebuilding plan for widow rockfish was reviewed by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee in March and a second draft is currently being prepared. The Council is expected to begin developing a widow rockfish rebuilding strategy at its meeting in June. An initial rebuilding analysis for the darkblotched rockfish stock is also being prepared and may be available for distribution at June Council meeting. As with widow rockfish, a rebuilding plan must be prepared and approved by the Council’s November 2001 meeting.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) drafted a sampling and logistics plan for the West Coast Fishery Observer Program. Current funding will provide approximately 20 experienced observers who will be stationed among 13 port groups coastwide. The sampling plan is designed to provide in the first year at least 10% coverage coastwide for the limited entry trawl fleet and pilot observer coverage in the limited entry fixed gear sablefish and rockfish fisheries. In addition, one or two observers will be allocated to a pilot program on overages.

The primary goal of the observer program is to improve management of groundfish by improving the estimate of total catch, mainly through ongoing collection of information on discarded catch which will complement current shoreside information on landed catch. Also, fishery and resource management can be improved through the collection of groundfish biological information and information on the catch of prohibited species. NMFS, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) and the states will cooperate to manage the observer program. NMFS will be responsible for training, debriefing, and coordinating observers; designating which vessels are to carry observers; determining observer assignments; data entry; and database development and maintenance. Through a contract with an experienced provider of observer services, PSMFC will hire, equip, insure, and transport observers. In addition, PSMFC will work with the states who are providing coordination with current shoreside fishery sampling and other support for the observers.

Vessels will be selected so that coverage in the trawl fleet would cycle through all the trawl vessels in about two years and would prevent vessels from being selected in consecutive fishing periods. Observers will plan to observe a selected vessel for all of its fishing trips through a cumulative trip limit period. The goal is to collect tow-by-tow information from each catch (market) category. The final administrative details are expected to be worked out by the end of May; however, NMFS has expressed concern that the program may be delayed due to the current federal hiring freeze.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to prohibit bottom trawling in all coastal state waters (from the shore seaward three miles). This prohibition was enacted to protect coastal populations of rockfish. The closed area included areas which are not habitat for rockfish but the Commission decided to close the entire area to avoid concentrating trawlers into the areas remaining open.

Coastal Lingcod Stock Assessment for PFMC (Contributed by Tom Jagielo (360) 902-2837)

Coastwide fishery, survey, and biological data were summarized for the Vancouver through Conception INPFC areas, and an age-structured population assessment was presented for the stock in two geographic units: Lingcod-North (LCN) (US-Vancouver and Columbia areas ) and Lingcod-South (LCS) (Eureka, Monterey, and Conception areas) (Jagielo et. al. 2000). Each assessment unit incorporated fishery, survey, and abundance index data sampling unique aspects of the lingcod population, which is non-randomly distributed by size and sex. The age-structured models were implemented in AD (Automatic Differentiation) Model Builder (version 4.0.1) software (Otter Research, Ltd; Fournier 1996).

LCN model likelihood components included 1) Commercial landings: 1973-2000, 2) Recreational landings: 1973-2000, 3) Commercial (trawl) age composition, 1979-1999, 4) Recreational age composition, 1980 and 1986-1999, 5) NMFS triennial trawl shelf survey age composition: 1992, 1995, and 1998, 6) WDFW Cape Flattery tag survey age composition: 1986-1997, 7) NMFS triennial trawl shelf survey biomass: 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995, and 1998, 8) WDFW Cape Flattery tag survey abundance:1986-1992, and 9) Trawl fishery logbook CPUE index: Washington and Oregon: 1983-1997.

LCS model likelihood components included: 1) Commercial landings:1973-2000, 2) Recreational landings: 1973-2000, 3) Commercial (trawl) age composition:1992-1998, 4) Recreational age composition: 1992-1998, 5) NMFS triennial trawl shelf survey age composition: 1992, 1995, 1998, 6) NMFS triennial trawl shelf survey biomass: 1977, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995, and 1998, 7) Trawl fishery logbook CPUE index: California: 1978-1997.

Coastwide, commercial landings peaked in 1983 at 4146 mt.. Historically (1981-1999), trawl gear has made up the majority of commercial landings coastwide (76%). In 1999, trawl gear comprised 63% of the commercial total for the northern coast (US Vancouver and Columbia areas) and 50% of the total for the southern coast (Eureka, Monterey, and Conception areas). From 1981-1999, gears other than trawl comprised a relatively larger portion of the total in the Eureka (30%), Monterey (40%) and Conception (53%) areas relative to the US Vancouver (22%) and Columbia (13%) areas. In 1999, coastwide landings totaled 325 mt and were distributed as follows by area: U.S.-Vancouver 55 mt (17%), Columbia 111 mt (34%), Eureka 95 mt (29%), Monterey 52 mt (16%), Conception 12 mt (4%). Historically, recreational landings have comprised a larger proportion of the total landings for the southern area, compared to the northern area. In recent years, the recreational portion of the total landings has increased in the north. The 1995-1999 average proportion recreational was 49% of the total weight in the south and 21% in the north.

Estimated female spawner per recruit (SPR) fishing mortality rates (F₄₅%) were .12 for the northern area, and .14 for the southern area. Female spawning stock biomass (SSB) in 2000 was estimated at 3522 mt for the northern area, and 3262 mt for the southern area. Estimates of the female unfished spawning stock size (B₀), derived using the method recommended by the STAR panel, were 29,877 mt for the northern area, and 24,437 mt for the southern area, respectively. Using these values, female spawning stock size in 2000 was 12% of the unfished stock size in the north, and 13% in the south, respectively.

Total biomass (age 2+) in the northern area declined from over 27,000 mt in the mid 1970’s to approximately 6400 mt in the mid-1990’s. Estimates of recent biomass indicate an increase to approximately 8,900 mt in the northern area. In the southern area, total biomass declined from over 14,000 mt in the mid 1970’s to approximately 5700 mt in the late-1990’s. Estimates of recent biomass indicate an increase to approximately 6,200 mt in the southern area.

In both regions, estimated recruitment was higher in the early part of the time series and relatively low by comparison through the 1990’s. From 1973-1982, recruitment averaged 1841 (thousand age 2 fish) in the north, and 1904 in the south. From 1986-1995, recruitment averaged 1036 in the north, and 1589 in the south.

Estimates of exploitation rate (catch/available biomass) in the northern area reached .61 (commercial fishery) and .07 (sport fishery) in 1993, and declined to .04 and .02 in 2000, respectively. In the southern area, exploitation rates reached .14 (commercial fishery ) and .31 (sport fishery ) in 1987, and declined to .04 and .11 in 2000, respectively.

The following research and data collection needs were identified: 1)Emphasis should be placed on improving fishery age structure sampling size and geographical coverage in both regions. Additional between-lab age reading tests should be conducted to resolve potential age reading disparities; 2) More frequent and synoptic fishery independent surveys should be conducted in both regions to aid in determination of stock status and recent recruitment; 3) In the southern region, CPFV observer project CPUE data should be analyzed (on a reef-specific basis) using a General Linear Model (GLM) analysis, and evaluated for use as an index of abundance; 4) Coastwide enumeration of at-sea discards (e.g. by an on-board observer program) is needed to properly account for total fishery mortality.

Cape Flattery Lingcod Tagging Study (Contributed by Tom Jagielo (360) 902-2837)

The annual February-March lingcod survey with bottom troll gear at Cape Flattery was conducted for the 15th year in 2001. This survey produces estimates of lingcod survival and abundance at Cape Flattery, which have proven useful for the PFMC stock assessment, particularly as an aid to estimate recruitment. Since 1998 we have employed coded wire tags in the mark-recapture survey as internal marks, and WDFW samplers have examined as many fish as possible from the sport catch at Neah Bay with an R8-tube CWT detection system. The new survey design involves a much more labor-intensive recapture sampling effort, but eliminates the need for estimates or assumptions about tag reporting rates. The direct catch sub-sampling approach also has the potential to yield estimates of abundance with greater precision than the voluntary tag return sampling design, as estimates of the total sport catch and its variance are not required.

Black Rockfish Tagging study (Contributed by Farron Wallace (360) 249-4628)

In 1998, WDFW began a multi-year mark-recapture survey near Westport Washington, the principal location of recreational landings of black rockfish along the Washington coast. The survey design involves five annual releases, and seven years of tag-recovery monitoring in the sport fishery. Aboard the WDFW research vessel Corliss, 2,622, 3,478 and 2,779 black rockfish were captured, tagged and released during 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. Fish were released on pinnacles distributed throughout the area fished by the Westport charter fishing fleet. Each fish was tagged with two coded wire tags (CWT) placed in the opercular musculature: one on each side of the fishes head. The tags were marked to allow for identification of specific individuals upon subsequent recapture. No tag shedding or tag related mortality was observed during holding experiments during 1998 and 1999.

On an annual basis, roughly 40% of the total Westport recreational black rockfish catch is sampled for tags by passing fish carcasses through a CWT tube detector. A total of 14, 79 and 300 tags were recovered in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. Cooperation of the charter boat industry was very good and enabled us to achieve the high sample proportion of the total number of fish landed (including those filleted at sea). Mark-recapture data will be used to produce estimates of abundance, survival, and mortality for black rockfish in the Westport coastal area. Population parameter estimates will be incorporated into the 2002 black rockfish age structured model.

Data analysis show the importance of tagging as many fish as possible each year, and conducting an accurate and thorough sampling of as large a proportion of the catch as possible for tags. We hope to increase our releases and sampling rate during 2001. Study results so far are quite promising and efforts may be expanded to include the entire Washington coast in subsequent segments.

Nearshore Habitat Mapping (Contributed by Tom Jagielo (360) 902-2837).

During the month of June, 2000 Evans Hamilton Inc. (EHI) was contracted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a multibeam bathymetric survey of an area extending from 48° 00’ N to 48° 20’ N and from 125° 00’ W eastward, to as close to shore as possible in the area of Cape Alava. The purpose of this project was to obtain detailed maps to use in the design of in-situ rockfish surveys.

Survey work in the originally planned Cape Alava area were curtailed due to severe weather conditions. Alternative survey sites were chosen within the Straits of Juan de Fuca where the sea state permitted data acquisition. These alternative sites are along the Washington coast with the first site near Cape Flattery and the second site near Sail Rock and the entrance to Neah Bay.

The fieldwork performed by EHI comprised survey lines at a maximum spacing of 225 meters; this spacing varied and was reduced as water depth decreased. Survey data were collected as near to shore as the captain and helmsmen would pilot their craft. The Seabeam 1180 (180 kHz) multibeam was used as the prime system during the survey to map the study areas. Information gathered with the Seabeam was digitized, processed, and logged with the Hysweep module of the Hypack Max software package by Coastal Oceanographics. Ship motion information (pitch, roll, heave) was provided directly to the Seabeam via a TSS model 350 motion sensor. This motion sensor was mounted centerline on the lower deck and thwart-ship from the Seabeam transducers. This motion information is processed real-time by the Seabeam software for proper geo-coding of the 126 multibeam soundings.

The multibeam data collected at the Flattery and Sail Rock sites proved of sufficient quality to adequately characterize the relief of seabed features in these areas. These data sets greatly enhance coverage of the reef systems in these areas. The Cape Alava data possesses an extremely high noise level, due to excessive ship roll during data collection, and required extensive editing and smoothing. The eastern-most survey lines of this area do characterize several rock features not formerly identified in the NOAA data. Otherwise, this is a flat to very gently sloping section of the Washington continental shelf.

Studies on the Efficacy of Intra-muscular Injections of Strontium Chloride to Produce Trans-generational Otolith Marks in the Progeny of Kelp Perch, (Brachyistius frenatus). (Contributed by Ray Buckley (360) 902-2828 and Eric Volk (360) 902-2759)

One of the crucial questions surrounding Marine Protected Area (MPA) efforts is to determine if larval rockfishes and juvenile surf perches released by the adults in MPAs survive to produce recruitment to stocks in the region. Because it is impractical to mark these juvenile fishes by any conventional means, we have made attempts to induce a trans-generational mark through intra-muscular injection of strontium chloride solutions into the female parents prior to parturition. The idea behind these trials is for gestating females to transfer strontium to embryos in vivo during the normal nutrient transfer processes in these viviparous fishes. We tested the technique with brown rockfish and kelp perch, and report on results for the kelp perch trials.

Late stage gestating females were collected in Puget Sound , WA, and held in a local aquarium. Treatment females were given intra-muscular injections of either 9,000 ppm or 30,000 ppm SrCl₂ in a saline solution carrier. Control females received only the saline injections. A total of 26 chemical analysis transects were conducted on kelp perch otoliths; nine control specimens, eleven specimens from females injected with 9,000 ppm SrCl₂ , and seven specimens whose female parents were injected with 30,000 ppm SrCl₂ .Analysis transects began at the mid-dorsal edge of each otolith and ended between 105 m m and 245 m m. inward from the edge at 15 m m. intervals. For each analysis point, the strontium to calcium atomic ratio was calculated. For control specimens, analyses at each discrete location were plotted together, starting with the analysis conducted at the otolith edge. For the other two groups, transects were arranged so that peak Sr/Ca values fell at the same relative location.

Results of this study demonstrate that trans-generational marking of viviparous marine fishes is possible by injecting gravid females with strontium chloride solutions. In kelp perch otoliths, Sr/Ca values were significantly elevated over those in control otoliths and comparisons of results between the two treatment categories showed that there was an approximately linear dose-response effect, with larvae from the 30,000 ppm injected group exhibiting roughly 3 times the peak Sr/Ca level as that observed in the 9,000 ppm group. The treatment transects also showed that the dramatic increase in Sr/Ca values from background levels occurred in adjacent analyses, 15 m m. apart. Since daily increments appear to be approximately 5.3-6.5 m m. wide on this particular axis, we can conclude that strontium reaches the otoliths of larvae suddenly, in less than three days.

Sardine (Contributed by Michele Robinson (360) 249-1211)

In Washington, sardines are managed under the Emerging Commercial Fishery provisions as a trial commercial fishery. In February 2000, in response to a request from Washington-based fishers and processors, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a trial ocean purse seine sardine fishery. The target of the trial fishery was sardines; however, anchovy, mackerel, and squid could also be landed.

The 2000 trial purse seine fishery for sardines fishery opened on May 15, 2000; however, the first landing into Washington occurred on June 26. The Department issued a total of 45 permits and 11 permit holders participated in the fishery. There were three primary vessels who accounted for 88% of the total landings–two vessels fished out of Ilwaco and one fished out of Westport. A total of 4,791.4 mt of sardines were landed into Washington. A total of 153 landings were made and 70 occurred within the month of August. A total of 288 sets were made with 66% (190) of them successful. Average catch per successful set was about 25 mt.