tribe opens gillnet fishery on the Skagit river and Skagit bay May 4

[Samish]

 

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sport-fishermen-protesting-in-la-conner-on-wednesday-as-tribal-gill-net-salmon-fishery-gets-underway/

[SpringerFan]

Such bull 💩. Not to start a flame war, but just how is this protecting salmon runs?

It is time to look at changing the treaty. The tribes are abusing what the intent was. To provide food.

Hell, since they have tax free casinos why do they need to fish? And they should be taxed.

It is disgusting to see them take advantage like this. Very sad.

[jackmaster]

  makes me sick, and I rarely rarely fish anymore.. It has been over regulated for the sportsman yet the Indians don't give a sheet, so the sportsman end up taking it in the shorts...

[Special T]

WOW Nooa moved quick for the tribes!

I think what is necessary here is some good video documentary of what is going on showing that gill nets are killing wild fish while everything else is  closed. Time to paint a clear picture of how different sport fishing and netting is.

[Bullkllr]

Crazy.

Puget Sound Anglers has a "Voter Voice" that goes out to multiple elected officials.
https://www.votervoice.net/PSA/campaigns/46262/respond

It's something. The "stand back and let our managers take care of it" approach is clearly not working.

[krout81]

It's pretty sad that this is happening, and when we have no fish left everyone will be left with salmon gear on the shelf that never gets touched.  If they are going to keep taking fish from the entire state then the entire state should be getting something in return.  At what point do they join the society that they so crave to be a part of, and stop using the treaties as a crutch?  Stop going to their casinos, stop buying their fireworks, and stop supporting them.   

[Dhoey07]

So if the Swinomish tribe turned their permit app into the NOAA last week and they will be fishing this weekend, why doesn't WDFW do the same?  I am assuming that WDFW is doing a blanket permit for the entire Puget Sound, maybe smaller, single run impact permits would be faster?   

[trophyhunt]

So if the Swinomish tribe turned their permit app into the NOAA last week and they will be fishing this weekend, why doesn't WDFW do the same?  I am assuming that WDFW is doing a blanket permit for the entire Puget Sound, maybe smaller, single run impact permits would be faster?

they can from what I've heard, but the permit will come back long after the salmon run through. The tribes get special attention, you know, because they are special and more important than the non natives.

[Bronson]

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that they are fishing without a permit.  At least that's what I read on another board.  Basically they are fishing now, there will be an investigation later for ESA impact and guess what.....nothing will be found conclusive because there won't be any of the catch to look at after the fact.

If the state did the same thing they would get sued yet again by the WFC.  The state doing this very thing is pretty much what the state was sued over the hateries for in the first place.

This information is just a summary of what I usage been reading on another board, not my knowledge or information.

[mfswallace]

From Patty Murray

Thank you for writing to me regarding the state of salmon fisheries in Puget Sound. It was good to hear from you.
 
Salmon recovery is one of the most complex and pressing environmental issues in our region. Many salmon populations have steadily declined in recent decades, placing significant strain on industries that have traditionally supported our area's economy, and a number of individual salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest are currently listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Salmon play a critical role in coastal ecosystems, and are a key symbol of our heritage in Washington state. Balancing the welfare of these populations with important economic considerations of the region has been an ongoing challenge for local and national leaders for decades.

Salmon fisheries in Puget Sound are jointly managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the treaty Indian fishing tribes in Puget Sound. Under the 1974 United States v. Washington court decision, commonly referred to as the Boldt Decision, it was upheld that these treaty Native American tribes in the state of Washington have treaty-protected rights that collectively entitles them to half of all harvestable salmon in the region and that the state and the tribes are co-managers of the salmon resource. For decades, the treaty fishing tribes and WDFW have worked collaboratively each year to reach an agreement setting Puget Sound fishing seasons for recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries based on best available science regarding expected salmon returns.

Due to disagreements over how to respond to the anticipated low returns for several Puget Sound ESA-listed salmon stocks, fishery co-managers were unable to come to an agreement for the 2016 fishing season. As a result, on May 1, 2016, salmon fisheries in Puget Sound were closed to most fishing, with exceptions for some tribal fishing. Please know that I am monitoring this situation closely. I continue to encourage both parties to come to a solution that meets salmon conservation goals while allowing recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries to open for 2016.

Throughout my Senate tenure, I have made the protection and restoration of Northwest salmon populations a priority. Through my work on the Appropriations Committee, I work annually to secure funds critical to Pacific salmon recovery for Washington state and our state's Native American tribes through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and other accounts dedicated to salmon recovery and management. As the Senate works on the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bills, I will continue to fight for the highest possible funding level for this critical program.

[Alpine Mojo]

I am monitoring this situation closely.

Gee...thanks Patty, I knew we could count on you.

[mfswallace]

That was also my biggest take away, pathetic!

[jackmaster]

Don't you love how politicians are masters of running their mouth eloquently without ever answering the questions that are asked

[Badhabit]

Here's my take for what its worth. The Puget Sound Tribes are fishing regardless of an agreement for their 50% of the harvestable fish. Problem is nobody knows what that 50% number is. So, with the mindset of the PS Tribes the state should open sports and commercial fishing for the remaining 50% of the harvestable fish. In 4 years if there are no fish then both sides take the blame equally for being poor co managers of the runs. It eliminates the bad blood between the tribes and the non tribal fishermen. Problem solved!

[renrutbocaj]

Many people are relying too much on rumors and things heard on forums and running with that. And also lumping "the tribes" as one group, there are 20 different tribes with different areas and comanagement plans. I would call a representative of either a tribe or WDFW to get your questions answered rather than taking the word of "joe b low". Just my  ....