In both Grays Harbor & Willapa many have complained that WDFW simply sets a season and lets it run on " auto pilot " regardless of the outcome as to escapement. Now WDFW has consistently claimed otherwise from the CES for the yearly fishing WAC to court documents. Well sometimes in the PDR process it takes a while to sort through to find the relevant document and that was the case with this issue. I will highlight the relevant verbiage.

From: Hughes Kirt M (DFW)
To: Fishing Regulations (DFW), gibsonjohn222@gmail.com
CC: Warren Ron R (DFW), Anderson Jon (DFW), Aho Randy T (DFW),
Scharpf Mike M (DFW)
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 11:14:25 -0700
Subject: RE: Aug 17 Rule Change Westport

Thanks for your inquiry. Please recall that the Ocean Areas are managed separately from the inland Marine Area of Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.
The Ocean Areas are managed on a quota system which requires significant monitoring and in-season estimates of catch. Marine Areas 2.1 and 2.2 are managed on fixed season. Because of this the Ocean regulation are subject to change with some regularity as managers walk a fine line between ensuring that the quota is attained without going over. In fixed season management we establish the regulations before the season and stick with them. We do this by using average harvest rates and the assumption that these averages will be similar for the coming season. So in answer to your question, no, the Marine Area 2.2 will not change from a one Chinook daily bag to two.

From: Fishing Regulations (DFW)
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2012 3:01
PM
To: Hughes, Kirt M (DFW)
Cc: Warren, Ron R (DFW); Anderson, Jon
(DFW); Aho, Randy T (DFW)
Subject: FW: Aug 17 Rule Change Westport



For you!!!



What are the chances on this???



Thanks,



Jeff



From:
Sent: Thursday,
August 16, 2012 2:33 PM
To: Fishing Regulations (DFW)
Subject: Aug 17
Rule Change Westport



Will Area 2-2 change With Area 2 retention of 2 Chinook?