Finfish Information

Western Washington treaty Indian tribes are co-managers of the salmon and steelhead resources with the State of Washington. Tribal representatives meet frequently with their state counterparts before the first fishery of the year occurs to develop biologically sound fisheries management plans that balance the treaty-reserved right to fish with the needs of the resource. The Treaty Council assists its member tribes in their co-management responsibilities by providing them with a variety of services, including pre-season and in-season planning, as well as post-season data analysis.
In addition, the Treaty Council employs a professional fisheries enforcement staff to ensure compliance with fisheries regulations, which are issued by the individual tribal fisheries offices, or the Treaty Council central office. Fishermen who violate fisheries regulations can be cited into tribal court where they can face anything to monetary fines, loss of fishing privileges, or even jail. The Treaty Council's tribes operate salmon hatcheries at three tribal reservations, and two net pen facilities in Port Gamble Bay and Quilcene Bay, which are operated and maintained jointly by with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. These facilities combine to release an average of 5 million salmon annually, greatly enhancing the fisheries resource for both tribal and non-tribal fishermen in western Washington.
	Young coho salmon are transferred to net pens in Quilcene Bay where they will grow for several months before release.

For more information on finfish species click here Natural Resources