Statement from WDFW Director Jim Unsworth on Puget Sound fisheries

[WSU]

But if they are fishing and we are not there is no co-management of the resource only a marketed take by a single side.  It will be interesting to see the outcome of this at least the WDFW has grown a backbone but I've seen nothing to show the tribes will change anything.

I'm more inclined to believe the WDFW is doing this to manipulate recreational and commercial fisherman to support their side of this situation, the only side we're hearing. They're creating unnecessary friction between the tribes and the rest. This is not being handled well at all, IMHO.

What leads you to this conclusion?

[pianoman9701]

First, we haven't heard the other side of the issue - the tribal side. Second, the WDFW has a very poor record of being truthful and forthright with our residents. They haven't proven trustworthy. Wolf plan, hoof disease, cooperation with timber companies, arbitrary predator harvest quotas, poor reporting. You name it. A leopard doesn't change its spots.

[MADMAX]

Imagine if they shut it down to everyone including tribes for just 2 years
comments ?

[WAcoyotehunter]

I think it's time to pull the trump card and end all this tribal hunting/fishing rights BS.

 It's time all the tribes across the country assimilate and start living within the same rules/ guidelines as the rest of the Americans.

Really? Who do you suppose is responsible for the hatchery and mitigation programs that kept salmon in the rivers after hydropower?  It wasn't the philanthropy of big business or the state.  It was the tribes.

[pianoman9701]

Imagine if they shut it down to everyone including tribes for just 2 years
comments ?

They don't have the authority and never will.

[idahohuntr]

I think it's time to pull the trump card and end all this tribal hunting/fishing rights BS.

 It's time all the tribes across the country assimilate and start living within the same rules/ guidelines as the rest of the Americans.

Really? Who do you suppose is responsible for the hatchery and mitigation programs that kept salmon in the rivers after hydropower?  It wasn't the philanthropy of big business or the state.  It was the tribes.

ehhh...I would argue that was done almost entirely by ratepayer and taxpayer funded federal agencies...to the tune of several billion dollars.  Tribes do not fund those efforts - not that I'm arguing they should be footing the bill for activities they opposed which harmed their treaty trust resources.

[pianoman9701]

They absolutely fund several hatcheries around the state. Not sure where you're getting your info, but it's incorrect.

[bugs n bones]

I think it's time to pull the trump card and end all this tribal hunting/fishing rights BS.

 It's time all the tribes across the country assimilate and start living within the same rules/ guidelines as the rest of the Americans.

[trophyhunt]

They absolutely fund several hatcheries around the state. Not sure where you're getting your info, but it's incorrect.

they should fund them, 1% of the population gets  50% of the product. 

[EyeTooth]

It's ludicrous to STILL be trying to work all of this out in the year 2016.

[bigtex]

They absolutely fund several hatcheries around the state. Not sure where you're getting your info, but it's incorrect.

[Duckslayer89]

It's ludicrous to STILL be trying to work all of this out in the year 2016.

Is there any end dates to those treaties? I doubt the people who wrote them up thought they would be flying around in jet boats with mono nets or blasting bulls in the rut with high powered rifles.

[NoBark]

OK, so maybe I missed this but,   Indians can take 1/2 correct?   And, they are doing just that but, their half isn't ESA - listed but somehow our half would be?    Baffled.

[idahohuntr]

They absolutely fund several hatcheries around the state. Not sure where you're getting your info, but it's incorrect.

Hydropower mitigation hatcheries - funded almost entirely by BPA.  Tribes are involved and paid to operate many hatcheries - but its not their money.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I think it's time to pull the trump card and end all this tribal hunting/fishing rights BS.

 It's time all the tribes across the country assimilate and start living within the same rules/ guidelines as the rest of the Americans.

Really? Who do you suppose is responsible for the hatchery and mitigation programs that kept salmon in the rivers after hydropower?  It wasn't the philanthropy of big business or the state.  It was the tribes.

ehhh...I would argue that was done almost entirely by ratepayer and taxpayer funded federal agencies...to the tune of several billion dollars.  Tribes do not fund those efforts - not that I'm arguing they should be footing the bill for activities they opposed which harmed their treaty trust resources.

Right- I should have been more clear.  My point is that tribes are the reason there are any hatcheries.  They are the reason there was mitigation for the hydropower that wiped out the salmon populations; it wasn't the rate payers or feds being generous, the tribes made that happen.