Smalma,

Is the policy consideration for the following minor rule change proposal found in the WSP, or is it some other internal WDFW policy? I can't find it anywhere in print...

#16. Selective Gear Rules for Steelhead Catch-and-Release Fisheries
Proposal: Add selective gear rules to the targeted catch and release fisheries for steelhead during March and April in the following rivers: Bogachiel, Calawah, Clearwater, Dickey, Hoh, Hoko, and Quinault rivers.

Explanation: The moratorium on the harvest of wild steelhead, adopted by the Commission in February 2004, closed wild steelhead harvest fisheries on 12 streams. However, the game fish seasons were not closed, so the result was a targeted catch-andrelease fishery in place of the former harvest fisheries for wild steelhead. To be consistent with the department’s management approach for wild steelhead catch-and-release fisheries, selective gear rules should be added to these fisheries during the months of March and April. The proposal described above adds selective gear rules to 7 of the 12 streams where wild steelhead harvest was closed. The Green and Pysht rivers and Goodman Creek are not open in March and April, so the rule was not needed there. The Quillayute and Soleduck rivers have salmon fisheries (which require the use of bait) open during March and April, so the rule is not proposed for these rivers. If the steelhead moratorium is rescinded, this proposal will not need to be implemented.


Thanks, in advance, for the direction...

Fish on...

Todd

Todd -
As you likely recall the Wild Salmonid Policy established broad guidelines or sideboards for management while the draft steelhead management plan put forth the actual management details. The state is in the process of reviewing and will be seeking input on draft steelhead plan with the goal of establishing a final plan in 2006.

In the past when CnR fisheries have been established that targeted wild steelhead they have always been selective fisheries. This goes back more than 20 years to the CnR fisheries on Puget Sound streams as well as then more recent seasons such as those on the upper Quilleyute tribs above highway 101.

Given the desire by many for consistent and conservative management of the wild steelhead resource anything other than selective gear restriction would seem to make little sense.

Tight lines
S malma

Thanks, Smalma,

Accepting what you wrote (which I do), why would the upcoming minor rule cycle have that as a proposal at all? Isn't it fairly automatic, and not necessary to have public comment?

Or, perhaps, be in the "housekeeping" section for clearing up obvious conflicts/confusing issues in the rules?

Fish on...

Todd

Todd -
It is a regulation as such should go through the regulation process -

As we all have learned the process is important!!

I suppose that someone could propose an alternative - say a shorter season than that being proposed based on concern for the interactions with spawning fish and kelts.

Tight lines
S malma