Negotiations are under way between WDFW & Washington Treaty Tribes regarding salmon fishing seasons for 2019 & Winter/Spring 2020. According to Gage Little, Sport Fishing Advocate, “It’s an all out attack on recreational fisheries from the Tribes!”

“And this year’s fishery process and agreement is just another example of their intent,” explains Gage. “Unless we can blow this up on Social Media and expose the obvious intent we will lose.”

Recreational anglers, take note here. Our salmon stocks are co-managed by WDFW and Washington Treaty Tribes. While some of the Tribes work great with Recreational Anglers, others do not or try to take advantage of the situation. I’m not pointing fingers at any particular Tribe, but we as sports anglers need to let our WDFW Fisheries Managers and WDFW Wildlife Commission know your thoughts.

Contact the Commission via this link: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact

Several runs of “Wild” stocks of Chinook are fueling the fire and causing issues with the negations. As mentioned in previous posts, in 2006 NOAA found that 14 Puget Sound Basin rivers had extinct runs of wild Chinook, yet the Feds continue to manage and force Draconian fisheries measures that are pointless. Add the Co-manager between WDFW and Tribes factor and you have a real nightmare trying to manage these stocks. Also remember that any lost opportunity for Recreational Anglers could be taken advantage of by some Tribes via the “Forgone Opportunity” clause in the Treaty. In other words,  if they get 1/2 and we are suppose to get 1/2 of harvestable salmon but are prevented from fishing who gets the fish? The only other group that has the right to fish, Treaty Tribes for that area.

While this seems complex it is really simple. Recreational Anglers can be shut down and prevented from fishing to save just a handful of fish mathematically.

Please share your thoughts about this important issue and stand together as Recreational Anglers and let your WDFW Commissioners, Senators and Reps know your thoughts.

House Contact e-mail links here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/Default.aspx?Chamber=H

Senate Contact e-mail links here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/Default.aspx?Chamber=S