OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state officials say after two months of closures because of the pandemic concerns, many of the state’s coastal waters were reopened for fishing today.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said marine areas 1-3, opened for bottomfish, shellfish, mussels, clams, oysters, and other species. Crabbing on the Columbia River also resumed under normal regulations on Tuesday. Those areas cover the entire Pacific coast of Washington except the northwestern-most tip of the Olympic Peninsula, which includes Neah Bay and Sekiu.
The exceptions, halibut and razor clam harvesting will remain closed in these areas for now due to continued port closures and concerns about the spread of coronavirus in local communities.