This whole six-gill fishery just got me thinking. When the local diving and scientific community heard that sharks were being harvested, immediate action was taken (thanks to people like me!). The word was spread throughout the web and a ton of people emailed, called, and complained to the WDFW. Obviously the scuba/scientific community was heard and action was taken.

That makes me wonder about our salmon and steelhead. As fisherman, if we complain, it seems that nothing ever happens. At least nothing like this. All of this shark stuff happened over only a few days. I've never seen the State move so fast over a fishing issue.

As fisherman, we need a stronger voice within the WDFW. I don't know how that can happen, but it's obvious "our voice" as fisherman doesn't really count for a whole lot.

Kind of sad, if you ask me. We can save the sharks, but we're slowly pissing away our native steelhead and salmon.

Just thinking out loud. Sorry for the bable.

Parker

Parker, Its an excellent point I have always wondered why the deaf ear seems to be the one listening to the plight of the wild fish incidentaly please take the time to read the post on Elwha and email the county commissoners.
Good job on the six gills, shark problems have been overrated by fishers for ever, its way past time to give a little protection to these janitors of the deep.

Why such fast action on the shark? Here's my hypothesis. (1) There is no profitable target fishery on the sixgill (or the sevengill, blue and so on). (2) Virtually nothing is known about shark populations in Puget sound, the move from unknown to endangered (and added federal issues) could hapen in the blink of an eye with a single lawsuit. Salmon and steelhead are $ to many user groups (sport, commercial and tribal) and so management of them is always a fight and decisions move like molassas.