I just want to touch on the NOF participation issue for a moment:

I too have spent a lot of time attending fisheries meetings, both as a boat fisher and as a bankie. I find it no coincidence that a very large portion of the sport fishers in attendance are boaters. Here's my thoughts.

The meetings are held during the week and at times that most younger guys and gals are having to work. They are also held for time periods the take up the whole day.

Older guys (retirees like myself) and others have less pressure and financially are in better positions in life to both, own a boat and have time to participate. Of course, there are always exceptions.

Is this by design? Perhaps. But I can say, I really think this may explain why the majority of participants are boat owners.

The bigger concern is WHY are the negotiations that are done with the tribes closed to the public? I'm sure we would all take off from work to sit in on those!!