Salmon Reefnet Fishing

Reefnet fishing is an ancient form of fishing originally practiced by Native Americans using cedar canoes and cedar nets. Today the boats and equipment have changed, but the fishing itself remains fundamentally the same. Reefnetting is unique to the straits and bays around Lummi Island and the San Juan Islands in Washington. This is due to the protected nature of the straits and bays, and the presence of a floodtide. Reefnetting has to be done in a flood tide because the nets are set up to face the flood current as the fish swim towards the rivers from the Sound. Reefnetting involves simulating a natural reef to attract and catch salmon. The artificial reef is created by weaving plastic streamers onto a rope net. The net is suspended between two boats in a funnel configuration. The salmon swim over the reef on top of the net and are spotted by fishermen on tall observation towers on the boats. The nets are lifted out of the water with winches, and the fish are gently transferred into holding pens. The mortality and by catch in reefnetting are low, and the fishermen are able to release non-target salmon species. The handling of the fish is minimal and the ability to keep the fish in a holding well reduces the stress on the fish. Reefnet fishing is unique in that it creates a selective and sustainable harvest of fish.