The state is trying to mess with another fishery, just say NO.

[lokidog]

http://www.adamnash.us/island-way-of-life/?fb_action_ids=10201353511634894&fb_action_types=og.likes

The state is trying to shut down this commercial SMELT fishery with 7 license holder, and alter the recreational fishery as well.  There is apparently no biological reason for it, simply the rich whiney beachfront homeowners that don't want it happening near them.

Please respond to the survey with No Change.

[winshooter88]

Done

[rasbo]

done

[singleshot12]

I feel for the loss of livelyhood or way of life. But aren't the smelt numbers way down from what they used to be? And wouldn't putting an end to commercial net seining help save the rec. sport fishery?

[Bullkllr]

I've heard reports that forage fish populations in Puget Sound are down somewhere around 90% from historic numbers...

[lokidog]

I feel for the loss of livelyhood or way of life. But aren't the smelt numbers way down from what they used to be? And wouldn't putting an end to commercial net seining help save the rec. sport fishery?

Did you read the article?  WDFW can't give any numbers to support their claims.  I guess it's OK to shut down someone else's way of life... and don't think for a minute the recreational guys won't be next.  Rockfish ring a bell?   

[Bill W]

don't confuse surf smelt with columbia river smelt.   It's two different fish.

[pianoman9701]

Done

[mkcj]

So in the 70's they were catching between 3571-3809 pounds of smelt for each of the 21 commercial smelters, How could you make a living on 3500 pounds of smelt? Even at today's prices what does smelt wholesale for? .50 a pound?

[6x6in6]

Done!

[singleshot12]

I feel for the loss of livelyhood or way of life. But aren't the smelt numbers way down from what they used to be? And wouldn't putting an end to commercial net seining help save the rec. sport fishery?

Did you read the article?  WDFW can't give any numbers to support their claims.  I guess it's OK to shut down someone else's way of life... and don't think for a minute the recreational guys won't be next.  Rockfish ring a bell?   

Yes I read it. And agree they should have bio's do a study for proof. But it may be too late by then. I've raked and dip netted smelt in the same areas that are seined and there are less smelt every year.
I'm not a rich whiney beachfront property owner either and have cursed the seiners many times when they'd scoop up the incoming schools with their net with not much left for the people on the beach with dip nets. Most of the complaints that I've heard from the rich whiney folks is that the seiners would tresspass on private tidelands.
No offence Loki but there is no way in hell I would vote NO CHANGE!  with the amount of smelt i've seen left

[Brad Harshman]

I didnt read it and wont.  With that said commercial fishery success rates are a great way to guage population number incline/decline when you have no other source to go from.  If there numbers are down and so are the nunber of commercial fishers then one can hypothesize that population numbers are down as well.  You said seven commercial fishers right?  Pretty small impact considering the importance of forage fish in the sound.  Pretty easy decision - shut it down.

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[ballpark]

DONE! 

Where is the research to even consider Option 2 or 3?   

"Population abundance estimates are not available for smelt. However, Puget Sound-wide commercial catch and catch rates indicate relatively high harvest over the last several years. During that time, commercial fishing has been concentrated in marine areas where recreational smelt fishing also is popular. The overlap of the two fisheries has sparked both concerns about localized overharvesting and frustration from local homeowners. "

So "relatively high harvest over the last several years",  = shut it down.  Makes no sense.  "frustration from local homeowners" = shut it down.  That is their reason.

[singleshot12]

I didnt read it and wont.  With that said commercial fishery success rates are a great way to guage population number incline/decline when you have no other source to go from.  If there numbers are down and so are the nunber of commercial fishers then one can hypothesize that population numbers are down as well.  You said seven commercial fishers right?  Pretty small impact considering the importance of forage fish in the sound.  Pretty easy decision - shut it down.

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But then again maybe the whole point of shutting it down is to eventually hand it over to the tribes

[ballpark]

Brad Harshman if you refuse to read the article don't waste our time.  At least entertain us and read the article then give your opinion.