County/Municipality Influence or Leverage on WDFW for Fishing Seasons

[JimmyHoffa]

I guess most are aware by now that this year's halibut season is slated to be three whole days with a possible one extra if quota isn't met.  (Back in 2008 it was 64 days.)  Considering how much revenue is projected to be lost and how much was lost with last year's salmon fiasco, Clallam County, Port of Port Angeles, City of Port Angeles and now possibly Port of Port Townsend are trying to get involved to have WDFW come up with a future season that would be more fisherman friendly (not sure about 'fish friendly').  It is an economic argument at root against the WDFW's supposed biologic one (or commercial/tribal half...cough cough).
The want is a season that runs from March through October with a six fish annual limit per person starting in 2018.  Ask for a pony, hope to get a puppy? 
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/eye-on-jefferson-port-of-port-townsend-to-consider-halibut-season/
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/clallam-commissioners-join-other-boards-in-calling-for-longer-halibut-season/

[JimmyHoffa]

Now they're thinking a good possibility of seven days for this year.
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/politics/eye-on-olympia-peninsula-legislators-expect-expansion-of-halibut-season/

May 4, 6, 11, 21, 25 and June 1, 4

[fishngamereaper]

Ill believe it when I see it. The salmon fiasco last year almost sunk the Mason family, new owner's of Olson's.  WDFW cares more about making the tribe's happy than helping the small local businesses and lowley sport fisherman.

[JimmyHoffa]

I heard a rumor that because of that business decline the resort was being looked at to be bought by the Makah for a casino.  Again...a rumor.   

[bigtex]

A lot of people don't realize that halibut, no matter where they are are a federally (actually more like internationally) managed species. Quotas are given to the states and tribes by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, then the state splits up the quota within their respective areas (Sound, North Coast, etc). WDFW can shift more of the allocation to the North Coast but that means less of an allocation from the other areas. Basically your robbing Peter to pay Paul.

If the counties/cities want a longer season then WA needs a bigger quota, only way to get a bigger quota is to show the IPHC that WA should get/needs/can maintain a bigger quota. WDFW cant do this all in house.

[fishngamereaper]

Then they need to address the bi catch waste that happens in Alaska. Our management area gets the shaft every year because of mis management of the resource by other shareholders.

[WSU]

Here are the various quotas: http://www.iphc.int/news-releases/491-nr2017-01.html

[sumpnz]

The want is a season that runs from March through October with a six fish annual limit per person starting in 2018. 

Something like that would be a fantastic improvement over what we have now.  With a whopping 3 days open (only one of which is a weekend day) that means that come hell or high water guys are going to go out as it's that or probably not get to fish at all for halibut. 

I'd even be OK with a 2-3 fish annual limit if we had the season spread out like that.  Charters might not like it so much as they wouldn't have their concentrated seasons, but oh well.  They might actually do better for halibut trips anyway as with longer open seasons they can reschedule for crappy weather days, and more people overall could opt for a halibut trip due to increased number of days it's open.

[Roundhead]

I heard a rumor that because of that business decline the resort was being looked at to be bought by the Makah for a casino.  Again...a rumor.   

The tribes will cooperate with anything if there is gain of revenue for their casinos. For years the Makah council made up of elders were against casino so they just leased their gaming allowances to the Muck. Now that their council have new blood, they are looking at the casino business. I'm against Indian casinos but if fishing opportunities are broaden for the sake of a casino then I'm all for it. If this plan for the makah is true, it shows that WDFW and the governor are bought and paid by the tribes.

[fishngamereaper]

I heard a rumor that because of that business decline the resort was being looked at to be bought by the Makah for a casino.  Again...a rumor.   

The tribes will cooperate with anything if there is gain of revenue for their casinos. For years the Makah council made up of elders were against casino so they just leased their gaming allowances to the Muck. Now that their council have new blood, they are looking at the casino business. I'm against Indian casinos but if fishing opportunities are broaden for the sake of a casino then I'm all for it. If this plan for the makah is true, it shows that WDFW and the governor are bought and paid by the tribes.

That's a given based on the fact that wdfw and the tribe's are in closed door meetings right now negotiating salmon seasons. Oh and when the state was asked to make the meetings public they said ah....NO....

[Roundhead]

I heard a rumor that because of that business decline the resort was being looked at to be bought by the Makah for a casino.  Again...a rumor.   

The tribes will cooperate with anything if there is gain of revenue for their casinos. For years the Makah council made up of elders were against casino so they just leased their gaming allowances to the Muck. Now that their council have new blood, they are looking at the casino business. I'm against Indian casinos but if fishing opportunities are broaden for the sake of a casino then I'm all for it. If this plan for the makah is true, it shows that WDFW and the governor are bought and paid by the tribes.

That's a given based on the fact that wdfw and the tribe's are in closed door meetings right now negotiating salmon seasons. Oh and when the state was asked to make the meetings public they said ah....NO....

That will never change. Remember they are the victim and a protected class.