Indian Gillnets
Sounds like a good start, there is much that needs to be changed and little being done to make the changes. I think one of the biggest problems that we have right now are the Indian rights on the columbia and other rivers. What happened to them was long ago, before most were born. Their heritage rights are wiping out herds of fish. Maybe there should be some limitations.
Pat
Killing Sea Lions
Yes, we are a nation of laws. Unfortunately, this law was written to address a biological problem, which is at best a problem originating in a snapshot of history. When permanent laws are written to address temporary problems, abuse will invariably follow. Otherwise law abiding citizens will lose their normal respect for laws and engage in the logical, rather than the legal. Most of us will not stoop to this, but it's obvious there is a larger problem here. No protection laws should be written without a sunset clause, where the biology in question is reviewed befor the law can be extended.
It is a societal problem when intelligent men conclude that laws are based on innacurate realities and they justify breaking them. Where does it end? The answer is to carefully guard our legislation and make sure it is reflective of the current reality. Even the consequences for breaking this law are out of sync with the population level of the "protected" species. The real question is...over the course of the next year, how many salmon will survive as a result of this rogue action?
I guess this was a bit of a rant:)
Alan
Sea Lion Hunt $ for Tags
I'm not surprized the someone went out hunting last night. They have a tremendous effect on the decline of our fisheries with the (college boys) Fish and Game folks aren't bright enough to solve the problem that they created. The only negative effect I see is the Fish and Game lost game tag sales (for the sea lions) for revenue, They aren't smart enough to figure that one out either.
Buy The Nets
I have some definite feelings about gillnets, but they don't need to be published on your website.
I will tell you this much, I definately feel that the gillnets are the single most damaging aspect to restoring our salmon and steelhead runs.
Also my opinion, there should be a way to raise the money to buy out the gillnetters. With all the money being spend by BPA, it would take only a portion of that to buy them out and would produce better results than all the rinky dink stuff they're doing with it, now.
Wasting your Time
well guys i admire your efforts but trust me you are wasting your time. of course the gillnets have a negative impact on ANY guides business. did you expect some one to say it did not. but i am sorry to inform you that you are wasting your time on this one. the nets are here to stay as long as there is a single fish left in the river. neither oregon or washington will pass laws to ban gillnets. even if a miracle happened it would have minimal pact on the sport industry and we would lose the net pen operations in youngs bay.
Salmon Collapse Roils Fishing Industry
