PSA calls for public hearing

[Larry3215]

This is a double post because we still dont have a section devoted just to rules/regs issues/news/questions, and this actually has to do with rivers and lakes, but here goes.....

There are two docx files attached to the email I received, but I cant up-load any doc or PDF or txt files for some reason????? I'll try to attach them if I can figure out a way.....

NEED PSA MEMBERS AT JUNE 29 WDFW PUBLIC MEETING
SEDRO WOOLLEY HIGH SCHOOL, 1235 3rd ST SEDRO WOOLLEY, WA
BEGINS 6 P.M.
SUBJECT: Baker Lake Sockeye Management and response to closure of Skokomish River to sport salmon fishing.

PSA joined with the Steelhead Trout Club, Kitsap Poggie Club and North Sound Chapter, CCA to secure the June 29 public meeting being held by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Power. The purpose of this very important meeting is to give the public an opportunity to weigh in on important sport fishing issues:


1)Baker Lake sockeye fishery management This issue is the opening date for recreational fishing now planned for Saturday, July 8. Last year the fishery was opened Wednesday, July 6, resulting in very good initial success. Our groups have asked WDFW to again open the lake on July 6, letting individual anglers decide when there is enough sockeye in the lake to make a trip worthwhile – opinions vary as expected with WDFW arguing that 3,000 is a good number, with many anglers willing to make the trip when 2,000 or even less sockeye are there. Last year by June 30 there were 6,009 sockeye trapped with 5,333 taken to Baker Lake. The number of sockeye taken at the Concrete trap and number transferred to the lake are posted frequently on the department’s Baker sockeye website. The more fishing opportunity anglers have will result in a higher percent of transferred sockeye being harvested. Typically only about 50% of fish put into the lake are taken home by anglers during the three weeks in July that accounts for most of the seasonal sockeye fishing. All sockeye placed into the lake, except only 1,500 for conservation escapement, are viewed as “sports harvest” by the state and tribes in the 50:50 harvest allocation.


2)Skokomish River Closure to Recreational Salmon Fisheries Last year the Skokomish Indian Tribe blocked sport fishing for Chinook and Coho salmon in the Skokomish River below Highway 101 because of a late developing river bottom land ownership dispute. While PSA led the public effort to resolve the dispute, including letters to the Skokomish Tribe, meetings with the WDFW director and senior staff, and engagement of Governor’s office, we unfortunately were not successful and the river will be closed again this year, and perhaps forever to sport salmon fishing. This issue will be discussed on June 29 because the Skokomish Tribe wants to continue a significant eyed sockeye salmon egg transfer program that was initiated last year by WDFW/PSE/TACOMA POWER without any public discussion. Baker Lake hatchery sockeye eggs were transferred to the new Skokomish Saltwater Park hatchery located on Hood Canal, near Potlatch as part of an experiment to see if a sockeye run can be established in the Skokomish River basin. Many in the public view the egg transfer program, which requires broodstock taken at the expense of Baker Lake sports harvest, as being outrageous given no recreational fisheries are allowed in the Skokomish River. A draft Implementation Plan governing the egg transfer program (see attached) will be discussed at the meeting. See comments also attached provided by PSA member Frank Urabeck.
We ask that you try very hard to attend the meeting, ask questions and support those of us who will be speaking on behalf of sports anglers. Our position going into the meeting is:

Ask WDFW to change back the opening date of the Baker Lake sockeye fishery to July 6
Ask WDFW to modify the draft Eyed Sockeye Egg Implementation Plan per Frank Urabeck’s comments and to consider holding up any further eyed egg transfers until the Skokomish Tribe reopens the river to recreational salmon fishing.
If you can not attend the meeting, please send emails by June16 to those listed below, supporting the above positions. Thanks much.

Ron Garner,
President, State Board, Puget Sound Anglers

Send emails to:

WDFW Director Jim Unsworth c/o of his secretary: [email protected]
Ron Warren: [email protected] Ed Eleazer: [email protected]
w/cc to:Larry Carpenter: [email protected] Frank Urabeck: [email protected]

[dj2loud]

The counts cannot be trusted, nor can the tribals of washington state... How many did the tribes take from the trap in the last 10 years, we all know the tribes are full of it as far as numbers go..... Please consider this a warning.... FISH WARS ARE COMING AGAIN.........

[Larry3215]

The counts cannot be trusted, nor can the tribals of washington state... How many did the tribes take from the trap in the last 10 years, we all know the tribes are full of it as far as numbers go..... Please consider this a warning.... FISH WARS ARE COMING AGAIN.........

Im sorry, but your attitude and comments are not helping anything or any one. Please stop.

[dj2loud]

Why is it so hard for you to understand the truth? I guess when it really comes down to it we all think everybody be nice and **** gets taken care of, well it didn't happen then and it sure ain't happening now.... Guess you didn't hear about the incident down south....... I'll be quiet...... patiently waiting........