Know a fishin reg that should be changed next year?

[Chase 1]

Public invited to propose
changes to recreational fisheries

OLYMPIA - People with ideas about how to improve state sportfishing rules can submit their proposals to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) through June 15.
 
Only those proposals that are necessary for resource conservation or provide a significant recreational benefit should be submitted to WDFW, due to a moratorium issued by the Governor’s office on non-critical rule making.

Craig Burley, fish program manager for WDFW, said people who would like to submit a proposal can use a new online form available on the department’s website.
 
"We are looking to improve the rule proposal process and make it more user-friendly with this online form," Burley said. 

The form, as well as information about the sportfishing rule change process, can be found at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/ . A printed copy of the rule change process and proposal form may be obtained by calling (360) 902-2700.
 
Sportfishing rule changes developed through this process will be available for public review and comment in early September. The final opportunity to submit written comments to WDFW on those proposals will be Dec. 15.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for WDFW, is scheduled to receive a briefing on the rule proposals during its December public meeting in Olympia.

The public also will have an opportunity to provide comment on the proposed rule changes during the commission's January 2013 meeting. The commission will take final action on the 2013-14 sportfishing rule changes during a public meeting in February 2013.

[lokidog]

They just need to allow us to catch our one friggin rockfish here in the sound, go ahead and limit us to less than 100 foot deep fishing even.  I will be sending this "proposal" in.

[Chase 1]

That's been a hot issue for a few years and to be honest I don't know enough about it to discount that the DFW folks are steadfast that this is a population in distress. Last year I got one that was bigger than I'd ever seen...it was so depressing! I feel your pain. At this point if it's something that you really want to push, I suggest learning everything you can about how populations are counted and make sure that the rule is reviewed annually with updated bio info. I'm with you, an all-out closure was tough to swallow. A chance at a couple for the table seems doable? But like I said, I'm not informed enough on the issue to say.

[GEARHEAD]

i got one howabout a slot limit on leaders, say no shorter than a foot, no longer than six.  this flossing business has to stop! 14 ft leaders i mean cmon.

[Chase 1]

If you read this and don't have one you can think of...here is one that you could get on board with.

This is a request of the WDFW to create and present a comprehensive report on the Puget Sound Spot Shrimp fishery to the Commission and public. This report should include a stock analysis, allocation breakdown, historical data, user history, and a department position on current allocation recommendations. This report is intended to inform the commission and public in a continuing effort to increase allocation distribution of the resource so that it can be enjoyed and utilized by recreational sports fishermen.

This fishery has been heavily allocated to commercial intrests which has limited the recreational fishery to a matter of hours worth of season in many areas. As much as 90% of the resource is allocated to commercial fishing in some areas of the PS, while rec fisherman are deligated an annual 1 or 2 day season, rain or shine. And by rain I mean flip your boat over in storms that take lives! It's time for the sportsman to take back this fishery for our tables rather than a few catching the bulk and shipping them East. Thanks for your help

[lokidog]

If you read this and don't have one you can think of...here is one that you could get on board with.

This is a request of the WDFW to create and present a comprehensive report on the Puget Sound Spot Shrimp fishery to the Commission and public. This report should include a stock analysis, allocation breakdown, historical data, user history, and a department position on current allocation recommendations. This report is intended to inform the commission and public in a continuing effort to increase allocation distribution of the resource so that it can be enjoyed and utilized by recreational sports fishermen.

This fishery has been heavily allocated to commercial intrests which has limited the recreational fishery to a matter of hours worth of season in many areas. As much as 90% of the resource is allocated to commercial fishing in some areas of the PS, while rec fisherman are deligated an annual 1 or 2 day season, rain or shine. And by rain I mean flip your boat over in storms that take lives! It's time for the sportsman to take back this fishery for our tables rather than a few catching the bulk and shipping them East. Thanks for your help

I did not realize the commercials got so much of the allocation.  That is nuts!

That's been a hot issue for a few years and to be honest I don't know enough about it to discount that the DFW folks are steadfast that this is a population in distress. Last year I got one that was bigger than I'd ever seen...it was so depressing! I feel your pain. At this point if it's something that you really want to push, I suggest learning everything you can about how populations are counted and make sure that the rule is reviewed annually with updated bio info. I'm with you, an all-out closure was tough to swallow. A chance at a couple for the table seems doable? But like I said, I'm not informed enough on the issue to say.

WDFW had a knee jerk reaction to the listing of three Puget Sound Rockfish as endangered.  95% of the endanered ones live deeper than 150 feet whereas 95% of the ones caught by recreational fishers (copper and quillback) are found shallower than 150 feet.  They put a depth restriction on lingcod fishing to avoid unnecessary incidental catch of the endangered rockfish, so why not just have the same restriction while fishing for the non-endangered ones?  In six years of fishing around the San Juan Islands, and of hundreds (maybe more) of rockfish brought to my boat, only one juvenile yelloweye and one adult yelloweye have been caught.  Both were released unharmed.  Also, the first year they closed rockfish, I caught a copper that was 24 1/2 inches long!  No scale to weigh it, but wow!

This rule change also took at least fifteen meals a year out of my families' mouths as well.   

[Chase 1]

I raised that very question and was told that there was a major concern that the Blacks were showing dramatic declines and that was the reason that the shallows rule didn't extend to rockfish. Tough to know, we rely heavily on good science from the department but that is an ever evolving process. Pressure on accountability and science is the answer. 

[lokidog]

I raised that very question and was told that there was a major concern that the Blacks were showing dramatic declines and that was the reason that the shallows rule didn't extend to rockfish. Tough to know, we rely heavily on good science from the department but that is an ever evolving process. Pressure on accountability and science is the answer.

If there is an issue with a species in a particular area then they should address that species and area, that's why we have different fishing zones, presumeably.  I have never seen, nor heard of a black rockfish being caught in the San Juans in the time I have lived here (albeit, only the last six years).  They claim the numbers of other rockfish are decreasing, but from my own fishing experience, it is better than when I came up here, although I also know the area better as well.  They claim the seals have no impact on the rockfish, but where do I see the most seals?  In the areas where I used to catch the most rockfish... coincidence?  Anyways, as long as the ones in control of WDFW have no skin in the game (are not fishermen, and hunters for that matter), they will continue to decrease opportunity until there is nothing left to buy a license for and their funding by us sportsmen and women dries up.   

[Chase 1]

That's sounds like a good angle to pursue on the issue. File it and follow it. Start by finding out how the DFW views the issue in regards to the San Juan's. Talk to the bios that produce reports on the issue and open some dialogue. Look at past reports and catch history so you can present your position with knowledge and conviction. One fed up sportsman can make a difference, at least you can find information as to what has lead to this decision and uncover an end game to at least a plan for when and how recovery and reopen will occur. I am speaking in general because my knowledge on the issue is limited. 

[jeepster]

If you read this and don't have one you can think of...here is one that you could get on board with.

This is a request of the WDFW to create and present a comprehensive report on the Puget Sound Spot Shrimp fishery to the Commission and public. This report should include a stock analysis, allocation breakdown, historical data, user history, and a department position on current allocation recommendations. This report is intended to inform the commission and public in a continuing effort to increase allocation distribution of the resource so that it can be enjoyed and utilized by recreational sports fishermen.

This fishery has been heavily allocated to commercial intrests which has limited the recreational fishery to a matter of hours worth of season in many areas. As much as 90% of the resource is allocated to commercial fishing in some areas of the PS, while rec fisherman are deligated an annual 1 or 2 day season, rain or shine. And by rain I mean flip your boat over in storms that take lives! It's time for the sportsman to take back this fishery for our tables rather than a few catching the bulk and shipping them East. Thanks for your help

before you guys go bashing commercial fisherman for the crappy shrimp season, just so you guys know, the indians are the ones who do the majority of shrimping and the few whiteys that do shimp hardly make anything doing it... well at least the guys i know of