Live salmon feed

[Bill Monroe]

Strap in.

Got here at 7:27...crowd was blocking the locked doors of the department building...employees on the second floor were watching the crowd...so were two Oregon State Police game troopers on the roof.

The roof!

That's new.

Crowd is filtering in at 7:45...overflow into an adjacent room and television monitors for standers out in the lobby.

Hope there's enough coffee.

[Sandybar]

[Bill Monroe]

Gavel down at 8 a.m.

Commission Chairwoman Marla Rae explains ground rules...people still signing up to testify...Marla said anyone working the sportsmen's show can testify in time to get up there...

Staff report by Steve Williams starts...
Lots of yada here, so there will be some delays. Look for staff report links on other threads.

Lights dim (I'm gonna go look for some coffee)

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

(no peeking)

[Bill Monroe]

There's still a line of people signing in to testify.

John North starts the staff's report.

Upper Columbia prediction is 269,300; Willamette is 34,000.

(Still some coffee left)

State cop tries to keep me from going in the wrong door. Have to tell him I'm with the media.

In nearly 40 years of covering the commission, I've never seen it quite like this. Maybe at one of the old capital hearings on gill-nets.

North is going over the number of fish anglers can harvest....looks like about 17,300 in the Columbia below Bonneville and 4,000-6,000 of the Willamette fish (about 300 for the nets, which is just enough to run sturgeon seasons and the SAFE incidental catches.

[Bill Monroe]

North is estimating 4,900 Willamette fish will be caught and kept. He's recommending a seven-day season there, which could leave a little flexibility for mainstem Columbia fishing.

But the models for fishing the Columbia assume no Willamette fish are available.

[Bill Monroe]

Steve Williams, North's boss, goes over options for sport fishing.

Six days a week on the Columbia above I-5.

Seven days a week on the Willamette and Multnomah Channel.

One day a week for nets above I-5 until about 6,000 are caught and kept. April and May fisheries.

Williams forwards a chance (Option 2) for 500 Willamette fish to be caught in the mainstem Columbia, but reduces the season above I-5 by four days, to April 26.

Might give the lower Columbia sports anglers about a week of fishing.

Staff recommends option 1.

[Bill Monroe]

Jon Englund announces a conflict of interest, but not that he's out of things...

Staff report is over...Marla renews a plea for respect and decorum.

Time will be limited to three minutes (usual is five)...

[dogfishboy]

Good stuff, Bill. Thank you.

Keep it coming!

[Bill Monroe]

Jack Glass is first one up...Troutdale guide.

Not sure I can keep up with all these, so may just chime in from time to time if something new comes up.

Short and sweet..."It's time for the sport fishermen to win some."

Brandon Glass echos his dad...also short.

Tom Wolfe (TU) urges steelhead bycatch be limited (use nets with larger mesh), limit fishing below I-5 in the Columbia, and move gill-nets into select areas.

State rep Scott Brun (?) came in a moment ago and gets to go first...says he'll be brief...notes their thankless task...has uncle who's a fishing guide...says allocation seems generally unfair...Please consider 70-30 split this time. The time is now...

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

State rep Scott Brun ...says allocation seems generally unfair...Please consider 70-30 split this time. The time is now...

Scott Bruun is a West Linn Homey! I have written him before and he responded definitely pro-sporties. Go Scott! You have my vote.

[Snagged]

Great thread Bill. Keep it up!

[Silver Ghost]

Thank you for keeping those of us at work who couldn't make it updated!

-SG

[Bill Monroe]

Phil Donovan (NWS) supports staff recommendation. Endorses no sport in lower Columbia.

Chris Vertopolous notes his support (and his clients') of local economies.

Scott Amerman talks about his family, last year's bad Willamette run and cancellations of trips ($50,000 worth). Notes that sport fishers also provide fish (friends, neighbors, etc.) to non-fishers.

Pres of NSIA (didn't understand name, but he's from Washington)...wants focus on "recovery," not "conservation."

(BTW, One of the few people other than myself who got in early and started signing up speakers was Liz Hamilton, NSIA executive director)

G Loomis spokesman talks about the factory and its contributions (100 percent of rods are made in Woodland).

So far it's 9-0 on sport vs. net.

[Bill Monroe]

(Oh yeah...also BTW and in the interests of full disclosure...I got in early after meeting Jon Englund in the lot and asking if I could go in with him...Yup, in full view of the crowd outside and the cops on the roof...even shook his hand. He's an honorable man and a good commissioner...I'd probably have been allowed in anyway)

(Testimony will be heavily weighted to sport for a while because these folks are headed to the sportsmen's show)

[Bill Monroe]

An Astoria guide asks for a little spring chinook fishing in the lower Columbia...his business is hurting. Says March doesn't help...high, dirty water.

Sarah (?) Carpenter from Corvallis holds one of her grandchildren, "my exhibit," and draws parallels with schoolkids running out of supplies by the time the school year is over and wanting some of their schoolmates' supplies...I think she's on the sport side. Interesting testimony.

Carter Kearns points out the difficulty of trying to get some fishing in the lower river.

Done with sportsmen's show folks and going to the signup sheet.

Commercial netter (Kent something) urges status quo and give everyone a chance to sort things out.

We're at 17-1

[Kalamity]

This is GREAT Bill! Thank You!

[Bill Monroe]

Rev. Irene Martin echos that to give the stakeholder process a chance to work.

(didn't get name) represents CCA and asks for 70-40 split...(sic)...

Bruce Hansen (sport guy and former netter)...I see both sides of the plate. Concern is steady decline of fish in Willamette River. Notes huge increase in sea lions and cormorants. Not going to count this one way or the other.

Current score is 20-2

[Troutinator]

man Bill... this is as good as watching round by round fight results coming over the teletype down at the GT...

[Chromaflage]

Huh? Typo or advocating commercials exceeding their allocation?

(didn't get name) represents CCA and asks for 70-40 split...(sic)...

[moderator input: "(sic)" indicates that Monroe knew the statement by the CCA guy was in error and this is not a typo. ~Pete]

[Siwash]

Why stop at 70-40? How 'bout 80-60... then everyone wins!

[Bill Monroe]

(I'm getting emails from another writer in Medford wondering what's going on and from a friend in the audience using his cell phone...Been at this work for 36 years and never ever thought I'd get an email, much less one from across the room)

Trey Carskason (NSIA)...(Interesting how Liz has her contacts sprinkled through the list...talked with one of her contacts yesterday at the sports show who said she asked him to be here about 9:30 a.m. She roams the back of the room, linking up with several who haven't testified yet.) Trey talks quickly...supports sportfishing and its economic benefits.

Bruce Polley (GRB) ... Is concerned about conservation of fish. Please don't allow sportfishing or netting below the mouth of the Willamette. Points out value of these fish...price per pound...in true value. Sport fishers provide more than simply salmon for all. He's polite and humble...kind of interesting to watch this thoughtful side of our esteemed colleague.

Current score is 26-2

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by Chromaflage

Huh? Typo or advocating commercials exceeding their allocation?

Just a typo...he corrected it later...

[Bill Monroe]

A veteran draws applause when he supports sportfishing.

Steve Salveson (very animated, nervous but articulate) tells the commission the biologists' numbers are wrong...says mortality is much higher in the nets...that the public is better served by sport anglers...only his wife knows how much (a lot) he spends on springers. Asks for 75-25.

Jeff Corbett wants observers on every net boat.
(and for carpoolers, can his driver be allowed to speak)

Kevin Newell draws chuckles when asks Oregon to take Washington's lead..."What?" says Marla...Kevin wants emphasis to sport side. Says a fee-increase could be a hard-sell...concerned about higher than thought mortality for steelhead in tangle nets.

First-time attendee to a commission meeting with a second home in Rainieir asks for the 70-30 split.

32-2

[Lure Dragger]

Is there a live feed link that I am missing?

[Motor Mouth]

Originally Posted by Lure Dragger

Is there a live feed link that I am missing?

Nope, your on it here. Monroe is in the room, updating here.

[P8ntballrman]

Originally Posted by Lure Dragger

Is there a live feed link that I am missing?

the live feed is Bill giving us a play by play at the meeting.........

Great job bill................keep up the great work

[Bill Monroe]

Jim Bateman (?) Netting should have been outlawed long ago.

Dan Grogan (owner, FMS) says current allocation has devastated his business. Asks for liberal sportfishing on both the Columbia and Willamette rivers.

Steve Gray...commercial fisherman...frustrated by misinformation...says he's also a sport angler. Says commercial industry is not wiping out fish.
We're also concerned about conservation. Mentions sea lions...cormorants...terns...wishes as much energy went into controlling them. In 140 miles of river, commercial fishing is not the problem. need to sort out how to get fish back.

[Lure Dragger]

Ok, this is great!!!!

[Bill Monroe]

Doug Hunt ... Northwest steelheaders endorse staff recommendation.

Brian Brush (Northriver boats)...Sales are down. Only sold one boat at this year's sportsmen's show...sales at the boat show were half this year. Has laid off 36 people the past few weeks and may have to lay off another 100 soon...It's all about opportunity. People just want to go fish.

Bill Shake (who walked in with Jim Martin just 15 minutes ago, but gets to talk, probably because Liz arranged it)...former federal biologist, manager and now NSIA policy advisor. Proponent of moving nets into SAFE areas. Says that was always the intent of the vision. "We need to return to our vision."

Don Swartz...also an NSIA advisor, former Columbia River sturgeon biologist...warns sport might run out of fish. Says nets will catch too many fish in the Columbia. Also fishing right on top of the largest concentration of juvenile sturgeon in North America and "they don't come out a net easily. You have to drag them through the mesh." Also points out net damage to walleye.

Kearns asks what to do? Swartz says 70-30 split and use large mesh.

(We're gonna take a head call...Navy talk for a break to stretch legs and whatnot...back soon.
Score is 42-3.)

[ORhunter]

The commercial guys always wait till last so their message remains the most memorable.

[wayout]

NW Steelheaders endorsing staff recommendation - Option 1? If so, they must not have read it or done the arithmetic.

[No Fences]

Interesting remarks from N. River. Boat sales aren't down due to the springer runs. Most likely due to the economy. Just my

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by wayout

NW Steelheaders endorsing staff recommendation - Option 1? If so, they must not have read it or done the arithmetic.

Originally Posted by wayout

Guess what! It's all been drafted already. Here's what's coming to you courtesy of ODFW:

Here's the arithmetic for splitting ESA impacts per STAFF RECOMMENDED OPTION 1:

Down river Sport I-5 to Bonneville Impact = .855, Percent of Total impact = 46.67%
Up river Sport Bonneville-McNary Impact = .117, Percent of Total impact = 6.39%
Commercial I-5 to Bonneville Impact = .710, Percent of Total impact = 38.76%
Commercial "Select Area" (SAFE) Impact = .150, Percent of Total impact = 8.19%
Total Impact Impact = 1.832%

Total Sport Percent of Impact = 53.06%
Total Commercial Percent of Impact = 46.94%

In essence 53% of available non-treaty impacts go to sports, and 47% go to commercials.

See for yourself:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/co...ndasummary.pdf

And let's not forget - Option 1 includes only 6 days per week for sportfishing between I-5 and Bonneville. The other day is apparently reserved for gillnetters.

Speaking of wearing red...
__________________
Get Me Out of Here and Let's Go Fishing!!

[Bill Monroe]

Publisher of Fishing and Hunting News...Points out all the photos of kids with fish who ultimately become adult anglers.

Jim Martin...Go beyond objectives...This is about more than cuttingg deals. Emphasizes economic value and minimizing impact on weakest fish stocks. Level of conflict isn't going to get better...it's getting worse as states continue to grow. Instead of bringing fishermen to the fish, bring the fish to the fishermen. Supports SAFE area expansions.

B.G. Eilertson (Joe's..."Not G.I. Joes")...Also having some real trouble with sales, layoffs, etc...bring anglers back to the fishery they love. Has had a 50 percent drop in spring chinook products since 2002. Can easily restore much of that with a better season. (Brings up the license/plastic problem for a much-needed light moment)

Bill Williamson (BC Angling Post)...Also has lost business, but are hanging in there. Desperately need some consideration of sport anglers.

Jack Marinkovich...gill-netter...Wants to leave things as they are. Critical of (someone's) column in The Oregonian suggesting observers and more use of SAFE areas. We don't come to meetings to attack other user groups. We just want to protect our share. Says Jim Martin used to be a close friend, but has gone the other direction.

David Johnson...supports sport fishing.

47-4

[Smoltlee]

Bill, how many people do you estimate are at the meeting? How is the atmosphere?

[Bill Monroe]

Buzz Ramsey...One of the reasons Luhr Jensen sold and he had to leave was unreliable fishing seasons. Can't market fishing tackle or fishing when I don't have a secure season.

[husker]

Originally Posted by Smoltlee

Bill, how many people do you estimate are at the meeting? How is the atmosphere?

i went to salem this morning and signed in. didnt testify. i did send in my comments to the board on monday.

the lobby was pretty corgial (sp?) lots of fishermen mingling and few *******. it was interesting to walk up and see the troopers on the roof and about 6 or more troopers in the lobby area. nice guys though. 1 trooper told me they were from everywhere from albany to astoria.

[Bill Monroe]

Originally Posted by Smoltlee

Bill, how many people do you estimate are at the meeting? How is the atmosphere?

I'm not outside the commission room, but I would say about 300 I'm told by ODFW staffers...it's down to 200 right now.

It's orderly, calm and mostly quiet. Few gill-netters here, actually. That's not surprising, though...this really is not a year of contention on gill-netting. They realize they can't get on the lower river and not many will make the trip upriver.

[Wreckless]

THANK YOU!!! Mr. Monroe

There was NO way for me to be there today. I sent all of the letters / testimony I could. THIS helps me feel like I'm there.


BAM, did Buzz nail it or what!!!!????

I vote for 90 / 10

[Bill Monroe]

Brenda Wall...(netter's wife) Is this commission willing to announce to the general public that you have decided to remove spring chinook salmon from the market place?

Randy Wall...netter...Asks for seasons in the lower river.

Gary Kish (GARYK) ...Says 75-25 would be best. Surprised the SAFE contribution isn't emphasized more. Write them a check for the mainstem fish and give them all the SAFE fish they want...Applause...

Stan Steele...CCA government relations mgr. Represents 4,000 anglers. Urges change of commercial harvest methods. We will not allow another salmon or steelhead stock to be added to the extinction list; not on our watch.

55-7

[Bill Monroe]

Testifiers are beginning to not answer the call, which usually means what they wanted to say has been said.

Marla says she wants to get through the public testimony before lunch.

Bill Hall (Springfield)...CCA member, owns two boats...Urges limits on commercial netting because of high mortality rates.

Joe Schwab (Capt. Hook)...Worked 20 years on the Columbia River (of 25 with OSP)...Saw every kind of violation. Member of CCA and many others. Wants to emphasize that hardest job out there is enforcement of commercial fishing laws in the dead of night. Dangerous and difficult. Tangle net is an extremely complicated fishery.

[kevray]

Bill,

I would also like to thank you very much for putting those of us' who could not make the trip, in the room with you today. I to have sent in all the letters, but could not get out of work for the meeting.

Thanks Again,
Kevin

[finnman]

This is great reading. Good job Bill.

Finnman

[wayout]

So was everyone wearing RED?

[Bill Monroe]

Carmen McDonald...Why is this such a lightning rod of a fishery? Because sport anglers know they're funding it. Sport anglers inherently know most of the fish are caught outside of the state. Suggests overtones of greed (among all sides)...We have to come here and ask permission to find suitable access to the fishery...when the 800-pound gorillas in Canada and Alaska get their fish.

Rod Sando....NSIA policy advisor (Rod is a long-time heavy hitter on the national fish and wildlife scene...specialized in conflict resolution)...As Yogi Bear once said...you can observe a lot by watching...Questions process...what you have here is a dangerous political jump ball. There are better processes that could help resolve these conflicts. All these businesses, sport or commercial, could benefit...

Marla asks him for some suggestions...Sando says will draft them for the commission...Of all of today's events, this one is very significant. Commissioners recognize his experience and expertise. Marla says if you have some ideas about a better mousetrap, we'd like to hear it. We're open to improving the process...

REMEMBER THIS MOMENT. Sando could be a key to a break through like the one Martin has suggested. Martin can't do it, but Sando can.

Liz Hamilton ... NSIA supports some access to Willamette fish in the SAFE areas and overall asks to think out of the box...supports sportfishing.

[jzell]

All of us at work thank you Bill for this very detailed / excellent report.

WHAT'S YOUR GUESS ON THE % of RED WORN TODAY?

John

[Bill Monroe]

Marla says we're halfway through testimony...she's changing her mind, so will recess for lunch.

45 minutes...

64-7

(The commission will go eat upstairs in the commission room, but will not discuss this during lunch. It's agin the law unless they declare themselves in session...no telling yet how it's gonna wash out.)

[Bill Monroe]

There was a lot of red here...10 percent maybe...little less...

[quackersnacker]

Thank-you Bill
For those of us unable to physically be there, I think we have the best seat in the house.

[Chrome Bumper]

Thank's Bill!

[Fossil]

Thanks Bill. Over 2200 views of your report already! YOU are getting the word out.
Fossil

[iwanttofish]

Thank you very much Bill

[SlimeyLimey]

Adding my "thanks!" for the live feed, it's fantastic!

S

[Bill Monroe]

We're back...

First three supported sportfishing.

Many, maybe most, of the heavy hitters from the morning have departed, although Stan Steele is waiting for the decision, as is Don Swartz from NSIA and most of the Ifishers.

[Rustyoar]

[stlhdrgrn]

I was signed up to testify but wasn't called before running out of time to make another obligation. I signed up early and wasn't called so there are a lot behind me to testify. Left just before the lunch break. Thanks to all still there to testify.

[JohnR]

Bill....thanks for the updates!!!!

[fish-r-on]

Thanks again Bill for keeping us updated

[Smoltlee]

Many, maybe most, of the heavy hitters from the morning have departed, although Stan Steele is waiting for the decision, as is Don Swartz from NSIA and most of the Ifishers.[/quote]

They are going to make their decision before the meeting closes today?