OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. March 20 to discuss management options for coastal recreational bottomfish in 2025 and 2026.

West Coast bottomfish are managed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council on a biennial management cycle. The council is considering annual catch limits and management measures such as seasons and bag limits that will affect Washington coastal bottomfish fisheries during the 2025-2026 biennium.

During the March 20 meeting, fishery managers will review preliminary analysis and take feedback on potential management measures to keep the catch within Washington’s recreational harvest guidelines. The WDFW will host additional meetings this spring to get input from participants in the Washington coastal recreational bottomfish fishery.

To participate, people can go to the link on the WDFW recreational bottomfish and halibut webpage at www.wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/ regulations/halibut. The meeting will be recorded and posted online so people can also watch afterward at their convenience.