Effective Date: Feb. 11, 2017, until further notice.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Marine Area 7.

Reason for action: Preliminary estimates and fishery projections indicate that Marine Area 7 will exceed the allowable limit of total chinook encounters – including both retained and released fish – prior to the planned April 30 closure date. The fishery is being temporarily closed until early April to allow the state time to determine a reopening date that will give anglers opportunity through the end of the season.

Other information: WDFW consulted numerous Marine Area 7 anglers and the sportfishing advisors. WDFW will continue to monitor the fishery and will work with the sportfishing advisors and local anglers to determine the re-opening date.

Through Feb. 10, Marine Area 7 has a one hatchery chinook limit. Salmon fishing will remain open in other areas, including marine areas 6, 8-1, 8-2, 11, 12 and 13. Marine area 5 will open Feb. 16 with a two hatchery chinook limit. Marine Area 9 will re-open Feb. 16 with a one hatchery chinook limit. Check the sport fishing rules page for details: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/. The most recent preliminary estimates can be found at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports_plants.html.