Did you know they still allow trawling inside the Puget Sound and the whole state? Wonder why there are no rockfish around when they allow them to keep destroying habitat? Smaller shrimp not targeted by sportsfishermen are still bottom dragged. They have wheels on the bottom with heavy weights that drag on the bottom destroying everything. Here is a letter received from Dave Croonquist-PSA State board about trying to close the Puget Sound and half of the state to trawlers. We need to back this one full tilt:

Good evening

I received the following message from John Bartholomew of the Whidbey Island
PSA chapter concerning legislation that has been introduced to prohibit
bottom trawling inside of a line from the eastern end of Ediz Hook north to
the Canadian border and eastward to include all of the waters inside of that
line.

John's note is self-explanatory and I would encourage you to consider making
the appropriate contacts with your legislators in support of the bill. I
note that the bill was introduced in the Senate and has had its first
reading and assignment to the Parks, Fish, and Wildlife Committee. I do not
know if there is a similar bill working its way through the House. When
contacting your Senators for support, you should also copy your
representative(s) and ask for their support in pursuing the same legislation
in the House.

From a personal perspective, I would like to see the line moved to the
Bonilla/Tatoosh line and cover all of the Straits and the Sound. I'm not
sure that that is feasible at this time but is an amendment that might be
considered.

Dave Croonquist

David,
This time last year, I alerted you to a current Senate Bill 6743 and
also referenced to SB 5614 introduced in the year 1997. Both of these
bills were related to bottom trawling. Both bills died. In e-mail
conversations with Senator Haugen and Senator Oke last year, they
promised that they would sponsor a like bill again this year. This year
Senator Oke and Senator Haugen again sponsored SB SB5258 and Senator
Haugen wrote the draft of the bill and submitted it on 1/17/03 and it
was first read 1/20/03.
This bill will protect the Sound, San Juans and a portion of the
Straits. I think we all are aware of the damage to the sea floor in the
inland waters in the past, and how the resource is now suffering as the
result.. David I hope every member of the sportfishing public will call
or write to their respective Senators and request full support of this
bill and to also contact their fellow Senators requesting support. Also
hope the sportfishing public will call their Representatives to
encourage a companion bill in the House.

John, Whidbey


SB 5258 - DIGEST

Provides that the commission shall not authorize commercial
bottom trawling for food fish and shellfish in all marine waters
east of a line projected from the east point of Ediz Hook north to
the international boundary line.

1/20/03 7:30 p.m.
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
History of SB 5258


SB 5258 Prohibiting commercial bottom trawling in certain geographic
areas.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen; Oke

-- 2003 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 20 First reading, referred to Parks, Fish & Wildlife.


S-0806.1 _____________________________________________

SENATE BILL 5258
_____________________________________________

State of Washington 58th Legislature 2003 Regular Session

By Senators Haugen and Oke

Read first time 01/20/2003. Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish &
Wildlife.


AN ACT Relating to commercial bottom trawling; and amending RCW
77.50.090.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 77.50.090 and 1998 c 190 s 82 are each amended to read
as follows:
The commission shall not authorize commercial bottom trawling for
food fish and shellfish in (({- all areas of Hood Canal south of a line
projected from Tala Point to Foulweather Bluff and in Puget Sound south
of a line projected from Foulweather Bluff to Double Bluff and
including -})) all marine waters east of (({- Whidbey Island and Camano
Island -})) {+ a line projected from the east point of Ediz Hook north
to the international boundary line +}.

--- END ---

Please help us on this one. This is the only way we are ever going to defeat these guys. I wish they would make the bottom draggers rebuild structure on the bottom they destroyed. Just like commercial netters never replenish the fish stocks they wipe out. Did you know the Salmon nets usued to be 9" mesh in the old days. As the bigger strains were wiped out they had to keep downsizing the holes in the nets to cath the next smaller fish. Big fish spawn big fish, in other words, 5 year old kings spawn kings that live 5 years. This is the reason that the fish are not as big as they used to be. An old timer stopped by my house out here in Monroe a couple of years ago. He was stopping by to see an old friend of his (my neighbor) that had since passed away. He had run across some pictures of some 40-50 lb kings that were in the creek behind my house (woods creek). and came out to show him. The guy was a retired fish biologist. Wish I had gotten his name and copies of the pictures. The pictures were in color. So that tells you how recent that was. The fish were huge, makes me want to cry. I joined the Puget Sound Anglers and am now Vice President of the SnoKing Chapter. I got involved to make a difference. I want to see the commercials go down and the destructive tribes. The state is not our friend on a lot of issues. We have to go above to the feds. I am asking for your help on this one. Please help us. I will get the email addresses and post them. Please get involved and help. Even if it is only to send some emails. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Ron Garner
Puget Sound Anglers
VP SnoKing Chapter

Ron,

Thank you! Great post.

A chance for the members of this BB do some real good, IMHO!

Do you know where to go to find out what dis. a guy is in, who the reps are, and how to get to them?

Humbly,
herm

Herm

Try this: http://dfind.leg.wa.gov/dfinder.cfm

AVID,


Thanks! Just what I was lookin for.


herm

Ron.....my dad grew up in Monroe. He's 85 now and tells many a story about the fish in Woods Creek (It ran behind his house, too) You are not exaggerating....many times when the river would flood, salmon would be found dead everywhere in the farmers fields. Don't believe for second there can be too many fish!!

Here are two ways that were replies to me.
1. You can get in contact with your legislators in the following ways. Call
the Washington State Legislative Hot Line by calling 1-800-562-6000. The
operator will relay your message to your Senator and two
Representatives. If you don't know your district number, all you have to
do is give your address.
If you prefer you can get up on www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/ and click on
"find out who represents you". You will find e-mail addresses, office
telephone number, and mailing address.
2. You can click on "Bill Info", then the letter "F" for Fish & Wildlife and find
an updated digest on all bills in the legislature on the site below.
http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/default.htm

Thanks Guys for being concerned. What would it be like to have fished in those days!!!!!!

Mr. Sheldon has email on this from at least one small voice.

I for one will pass this issue on to several co-workers and friends.

Niv Out

This is our chance to be heard! I have sent e mails to both my representatives and my senator. These guy will act ONLY if we make them hear us. PLEASE send e mais to you representatives and senator, and please pass the message along to everyone in your address directory.

Sportsman are always complaing that nobody listens to them. We can make them listen, but we have to be willinng to work at it a bit.