Further to our fight with WDFW, here is a link to our attempt to change the status quo. If you are a WA resident, please lend your assistance to help bring about some needed changes.
From our club's fishing management guru, Dave Croonquist:
This is a bill in the legislature that I think we can all support. I see it as tightening down the rules for the Dept to put recreational fishing as a higher priority and ahead of the commercial interests. It ties in with our request to get our share of halibut back from the "incidental catch" given to the sablefish fleet out of the recreational quota and it might open a door to enhanced production levels at hatcheries.
HB 1229 - DIGEST:
Requires the department of fish and wildlife to: (1) Seek to optimize the economic value of the state's fishery resource; and (2) When making fisheries management determinations and setting fishing seasons, maximize recreational fishing opportunity within available harvests before determining commercial fishing opportunity.
Requires the fish and wildlife commission, when using hatcheries to enhance fishing opportunities and consistent with all tribal treaty obligations, to prioritize production at hatcheries based on their contribution to recreational fisheries.
We welcome your comments to the bill. Just click on the 'Comments' button.
From our club's fishing management guru, Dave Croonquist:
This is a bill in the legislature that I think we can all support. I see it as tightening down the rules for the Dept to put recreational fishing as a higher priority and ahead of the commercial interests. It ties in with our request to get our share of halibut back from the "incidental catch" given to the sablefish fleet out of the recreational quota and it might open a door to enhanced production levels at hatcheries.
HB 1229 - DIGEST:
Requires the department of fish and wildlife to: (1) Seek to optimize the economic value of the state's fishery resource; and (2) When making fisheries management determinations and setting fishing seasons, maximize recreational fishing opportunity within available harvests before determining commercial fishing opportunity.
Requires the fish and wildlife commission, when using hatcheries to enhance fishing opportunities and consistent with all tribal treaty obligations, to prioritize production at hatcheries based on their contribution to recreational fisheries.
We welcome your comments to the bill. Just click on the 'Comments' button.