I know little of the politics on how to go about this. I am a tech geek and not much of a lobbyist.
Is there anything we can do to have a motion to get the netting schedule or the gill nets out of service or at least cut down.
Is this even an item that can be fought or brought up on a ballot or such. Just tired of seeing and hearing about it.
It's not fair in this day and age that special rights are increasing while equal rights fall.
Just wondering if anyone can or is willing to help.

The Grays Harbor basin is one of the most abused systems as far as tribal netting goes. Unfortunately, the tribes wield all the power in these matters. The more I learn about these matters, the more discouraging it gets. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that not much will change in this age of political correctness. What.... disenfranchise the downtrodden... heaven forbid! The fish be damned!

Boycott the Casinos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

exactly what local said..........If everybody did not use the casino's or bought cigarettes from the tribes ,they would'nt have the funds to kick our arse every time we go to court......IMO

I thought the same thing today, my buddy Karry Batson showed me the Queets nettin schedule and we sporter maybe have 2 weeks of sporatic no nettin days on the Queets through the entire season, makes me sick! Its BS and we aught to flock together and stick the new governer with something or just Hay Bail every one we find or truck tire em lol! Chris

Last time the netting issues were up on ballot they got voted down.......how did you vote back then?

Why not have the goverment pay the tribes Not to fish. They have paided farmers not to grow corn/wheat etc....

And: Boycott Casinos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we REALLY did this it might give us some bargining power !!!!

Unfortunetly far more people use the casino's than fish for salmon and steelhead. Therefore that kind of boycot would have little impact on tribal income.

I keep saying the only way is for a federal export ban on our fish. They are our fish and food supply. Since stocks are dwindling they should only be consumed in the US. Tribals included unless they can prove a centuries old trade with Japan. If that dream could come true then net all you want. You'll just drive the price down to nothing making netting uneconomical. No more targeting fish just for the roe either. Not much of a market for it in the US.

Our best chance of gaining any ground on these issues is to band together and fight for it. There are several groups working on our behalf: PSA, RFA, Sportfishing PAC (and others). Join one or all of these. Even if you don't actively participate, get your name on the roster and send in your dues. It'll be the best $25 you've spent in long time.

The more members each group has, the more clout they will have with legislators. To be taken seriously, we have to present a united, organized position. These groups are working hard to promote sportsfishing. They need you to stand behind them.

I say we need an elite taskforce camera team loaded with some camcorders, just to specifically target all the netter , to film all the Roe taken and fish wastin and the rest of the BS next season, if not this winter! Or arrange a bigger fleet of boats then last year and clog the nettin grounds with protestin sportfisherman, anyone up for it?

I'm sure I'll get blasted for this one but, I'm against all tribal/commercial fishing........I think all runs that navigate waters on there own should not be targeted( if you want commercial fishing...do it out of a pen)have them farm there own fish,or go 12 miles out to sea and net there...........the runs would be absolutely huge in years to come if people didnt net our waters....commercial/tribal alike.......and if a compromise had to be made absolutely no netting with-in 2 miles of shore and none in the straits or puget sound area at all.none........just my .02 cents

You know, prior to WWII there was no netting except in ocean waters far off shore. But the government was scared of the Japanese submarines destroying our fishing fleets and hindering the war effort by creating a bit of a food source shortage. So they allowed the fishing fleets to "fish" (if you wanna call netting fishing) withinthe strait and the sound. We have long since defeated the Japanese and are back to "normal"....maybe we should consider getting the netting "back to normal too"

ive been told that they tried to buy out the tribe but they said no because it was part of there heratige and they didnt want to give it up.. but i doubt that there will ever be any way to stop them from netting.. state is to scared of them to try and do something to help...

I think it's actually written into several treaties that they can't sell the right even if they wanted to. We can't do anything about tribal issues except possibly under the ESA which so many want to gut.

Spartan,

I have to take issue with your claim that all netting was done far out at sea prior to WWII. That simply is not true. Gillnets and seines have been used on the lower Columbia River and in Puget Sound since the late 1800s. In addition, fish wheels were used on the Columbia River and fish traps in Puget Sound until about 1927.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Here's a far out idea. Why don't native americans jump into the US social and economic melting pot with the rest of us. Many have, and good for them. Lets phase out reservations and treaty rights. Lets require native americans nation wide to change their lifestyle. Lets make them equal instead of subsidizing their existence with money legal rights to declining resources. Do you think when the fishes are finally all gone we, and they, will not have to make changes as a result? Why not do it now?

That last question was retorical BTW. I already know the answer.

I agree with cdseattle on supporting the groups that support me. I am wiling to be involved in anything that is started or is happening that can actually make a difference.
As far as the boycotting of casinos, I don't see that happening. Also is there laws that stop any ballots from banning tribes since they are souveirgn. I assume there is. I guess I need to read up on my politics and find this info.
It seems such a shame that tribes get there own rivers and still need all that fish.
Can't the Boldt decision be challenged. Also what and when was the last thing to be voted on?

[QUOTE] [I have to take issue with your claim that all netting was done far out at sea prior to WWII. That simply is not true. /QUOTE]

I am not so sure that there isn't some truth to this...I have also heard that nets were not allowed inside Puget Sound at some previous point in history .....needs some research I think. Regardless of that I would say that banning nets inside Puget Sound has some merit as it did when the BAN (net ban initiative) was unsuccessfully tried here.

Net bans have been very successful in states along the Gulf Coast , especially in Florida. It did not work here partially because of the commercial fishing lobby and partially because the general public would not go along with the ban because it had no effect on the tribes..That was a real short sighted opinion shared by way too many potential supporters.

A net ban at this time would be largely less effective because the non tribal nets are few and far between. It is the tribal nets that continue to devastate our runs.

I saw a gill net in the Green/Duwamish right in Tukwila on my way home today....Saw a couple of sports guys upriver ....sorry guys the nets are intercepting what you are waiting for.

Salmo,

I guess my history books are wrong. I am a bit of a WWII buff and have some info out of these books to the fact I state. I will emailthe editors of these books for ya and have them correct their mistake in future printings........