Spawnout

Sorry, but no studies that I have ever seen relates to your figure of; "That's $200 if it's a wild fish every time it is caught and released to be caught again"

That may sound real good, but I do not think that this figure can stand the "straight face test".

If such a study actually showed that to be true, I could accept your figures! The studies that I had seen were purely for harvested fish.

You say; "Besides that, wildlife viewing produced a return of $980 million, fishing $854 million, and hunting $350 million to the state in 2001 (Adding It Up, WDFW, December 2002). How much of that wildlife viewing money was spent observing hatchery fish in terminal areas compared to viewing salmon in the wild do you think?"

Well I send that same question back to you! How much of that money can you show to us was actually related to viewing "wild" steelhead? Like you have said, I think you too have also answered yor own question!

Personally, I do not think that WDFW should have to spend a single penny on "habitat". Habitat is part of our states total economy, and it should not be the burden of WDFW to fund improvements to a states natural resources! Even if you do not fish or hunt, the people of Washington State all use and enjoy the benefits of abundant habitat.

Spawnout, there is no question in any persons mind that hatcheries will be a huge player in the years to come. It doesn't really matter if you like fishing for hatchery fish or not! The simple fact remains that wild fish are not going to fill the needs of the many! It's true that wild fish will fill the needs of some, but most people like to eat what they catch. You and I can say that our freezers are full, but what about Joe Blow, who spends more money fishing then you or I? He will most likely never see a full freezer, and for good reason!

Remember, and it's true, 10% of the fishermen usually catch and harvest about 90% of the available fish. So it's pretty darn easy for you and me to sit here and tell the mass majority of those other 90% fishermen that we have tons more fish then we can possibly eat! Everybody needs to have a reality check from time to time, and yes, that includes me.

Yes, there are lots of ways to rear fish, and that can include all the options that you have related to. But, and it's a big but, wild fish are not going to override the need of humans. Even if we can turn around all the years, humans needs will far out way that of any fish; if you think that I am wrong, go for it!

Most people have never seen my organization symbol. It's been on our cards for over 6 years now; it shows a scale that states "A balance between Man and Fish". Isn"t that what we are all fighting so damn hard for anyway?


Cowlitzfisherman