Take a look and send your representative your thoughts. Its more important than ever to get involved.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1660&year=2015

I'm not an expert by any means. From what I've heard and read so far it makes a move to prioritize recreational fishing over commercial, and keep money generated by recreational fishing(licenses, etc.) from being pilfered for other State uses. Recreational fishing generated around $71 million for the WDFW compared to the $1.5 million from commercial.



"(4) The legislature further finds that Washington will not be able to grow its sports fishing tourism industry, and compete with other popular sports fishing destinations, unless the fish and wildlife commission prioritizes recreational harvest opportunities11and establishes predictable and stable recreational fishing seasons that enable both state residents and visitors from around the country and around the globe to make long-term trip planning and tourism spending decisions that lead them to Washington's rural communities.

(5) The legislature further finds that recreational fisheries are capable of avoiding the harvest of endangered fish species through selective harvest practices, thereby often increasing access to harvestable populations. Current state policies often result in fisheries management decisions that constrain recreational fishing opportunities and seasons in favor of nontribal commercial fisheries incapable of selective harvest practices, thereby harming too many endangered fish and limiting access to harvestable populations.

(6) The legislature further finds that sports fishing is a billion dollar industry in Washington and the single largest source of funding to the department of fish and wildlife. The seventy-one million dollars generated by the buyers of recreational fishing licenses in the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium represents over nineteen percent of the department of fish and wildlife's total budget. By comparison, the commercial fishing industry only generated one and one-half million dollars in funding over the same time period to the department of fish and wildlife, which amounts to less than one-half of one percent of the agency's overall budget.

....

All license fees and tax revenues deposited into the state wildlife account that are received from specific user groups, including hunters, recreational fishers, and commercial fishers, may only be appropriated to, and used for, activities that directly support or benefit the user group from which the funds were received."​

It isn't going to pass. Trust me.

Tell us more !!! Oh gifted banker.............

It just isn't. As much as I would like for it to pass I'm a realist.

5) The legislature further finds that recreational fisheries are capable of avoiding the harvest of endangered fish species through selective harvest practices, thereby often increasing access to harvestable populations. Current state policies often result in fisheries management decisions that constrain recreational fishing opportunities and seasons in favor of nontribal commercial fisheries incapable of selective harvest practices, thereby harming too many endangered fish and limiting access to harvestable populations.


Here's one large problem with it, there's never been any long term studies done to back up this claim.

Not sure studies are needed.

case in point, Willapa bay managment 1960-2014

Stop arguing amongst yourselves! This is a great opportunity to send a message if nothing else. Respond to the proposed law. If you think it's a good thing, tell your "elected" representatives. Tell them that you vote and are watching how "THEY" vote on this bill. Imagine if half the recreational fishermen did that? It may not pass, but with a huge response in favor of this, it just might embolden some legislatures to begin the conversation! There are 13 Representatives listed on the Bill. Here is a copy of my comments to my Legislatures'

I am encouraged in reading bill 1660! As a registered voter and an avid recreational fishermen, I fully support bill 1660. This action is long over due. Far too long the un-represented recreational fisher has taken a back seat to others with lobbies and money. It is time our fees are used exclusively to fund our sport. Further, the economic advantage of focusing efforts on recreational fishing will not only increase from Washington State citizens, but will attract dollars from outside the state from those wanting to enjoy the fishing without having to travel to more distant destinations. I applaud you for your courage to vote in favor of this this bill. You will no doubt find much opposition from money backed quarters. PLEASE STAND STRONG! WE ARE BEHIND YOU! I intend to publish a copy of the vote on all the fishing web sites so other registered voters can thank you for your support.

Case in point Willamette River 25 years of selective fishing..Results? Zilch

Willamette river is a Washington watershed?. Has no bearing here. It is 150 miles of toxic waste dump, case in point.

Sports fishing Mecca for Portland, you would think they would care just a little more.

I fully support this, of course, but I also think it has no chance of passing.

That being said...it would be great to get the list of all those in the Legislature who vote against it, because I will bet you $100 all of them talk about "jobs" and "the economy" all the time, and will vote against both if they vote against this.

Why? Because they represent people who are bad for jobs and the economy, and those people donate to their elections and get them elected, that's why.

Fish on...

Todd

Click the link. Click comment.
I used Baywolf's. Todd's above would be fun to send as well.
Thank you. Your bill comment was successfully sent.

A little search and one can read up on the 12 miles of the river designated as a Superfund site; here is one source of info: http://www.willamette-riverkeeper.org/WRK/superfund.html

Calls and personal visits have more impact than emails, but every bit counts.

Tribes are making it work despite Hanford, the BPA and using non selective fishing methods to boot.......Amazing!!

Because a small number of non-treaty commercial fishermen and a couple seafood buyer/processors are better connected politically and financially and don't want to give up their welfare subsidy fishing, courtesy of WA state taxpayers.

Well polished and nicely said.

They might have the money but we have the votes as some unemployed legislators have found out.

Be sure to call the legislative hotline, 800.562-6000 to support the bill. Ask your legislators to contact Brian.Blake@leg.wa.gov to have a hearing on HB1660.

Besides the commercial fishing industry is so much more efficient in providing the complimentary seafood essential to a legislator's cocktail party. Like the theme from Ghost Busters, "When the party's on, and you need some fish, Who you gonna call?"

Is this practice going on now, I don't know. Has it gone on in the past? According to one of my hunting/fishing partners, who was a lobbyist in both Washingtons, it did, and it helped explain the symbiotic relationship between our elected leaders and the commercial fishing industry.

I have contacted my two reps and the local Senator, too, for good measure...asking for their position on this bill and the explanation for their position.

Fish on...

Todd