"The pre-season total harvest rate calculated for Hoh wild steelhead was 48.8%. In the last two years, the tribal fishery is targeted to harvest 24.4% and the sport fishery has averaged 12.3%. The balance of the sport opportunity is provided in the wild release sections of the upper river and South Fork."

This is an excert from the response from Bob Leland, Steelhead Program Managger.(From post "Part II.... , on the wild steelhead board) THe logic is used that with more catch and release sport opportunity, balances with the tribes greater catch percentage. With more increased catch and release areas, will this balance with an increased netting schedule? The above logic would say yes.

I would like to see more catch and release, and fish making it to the areas to spawn. But this response, suggests the tribes could argue the balance of fishing opportunity vs. harvest, and net more days a week. At least on the coastal rivers. ....and no this is not a guise for me wanting to continue harvesting wild steelhead. I really believe if the tribes can take it, they will. I feel a non-mandatory policy would prevent this.




[This message has been edited by KORE (edited 03-27-2001).]