Salmon trying to finish their last journey home to an Orcas hatchery may be being illegally caught in Eastsound waters. Known as Marine Area 7E, the area in Eastsound north of Rosario Point is currently closed to commercial salmon fishing.

Chinook and coho have been gathering to rest in a quiet bay before ascending the hatchery’s fish ladder to be collected and spawned. Boats that appear to be commercial fishing vessels have been spotted there in the dead of night.

“We have definitely seen some suspicious activity at the hatchery bay on two separate occasions late at night,” hatchery manager Mike O’Connell told the Sounder.

While the vessels’ ID numbers were not obtained, the incidents have been reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Orcas community members are urged to call 911 if they notice illegal fishing in progress, or call 1-877-933-9847 to report suspicious activity.