Why not rotate rivers?

[nivtup]

OK, so I have been reading all the advanced debating over the decline of our fisheries, you are all very well spoken on the subject, all with your own point of view.

So here is a question for you all,

Why not create a numbering system for all of the Rivers, based on size, health of the current fish populations, % of hatchery fish, location etc.

Take a small percentage, maybe 15 percent, and close them for all taking of fish, commercial, tribal, sport, you name it. Manage the net fisheries so that they are not allowed to target the runs of fish that are headed for the closed system.

Next stop the planting of fish, preferably in the years leading up to a closure of a system.

Next enfoce this closure with the death penalty. J/K (just kidding)

Stop any flagrant enviromental abuse occuring on that system, and let nature take its course. We may all be amazed at the ability of the fish to recover if just given a chance.

After the system recovers to a healthy status, open it up, catch and release, 1 fish per angler per year retention limit. Limit the commercial fishery to the same percentage of the take, and allow the tribal catch to be equal to the 1 fish per angler per year retention limit.

When the first "crop" of rivers opens up again, close the next group for recovery.

My thought is that certain systems would be set aside as hatchery rivers for eternity.

[happybrew]

I kind of like that idea. Some of the highest fish densities are in streams that almost nobody fishes, in wilderness areas, and I ain't telling where they are. Obviously we need to mitigate human impact, and this seems like a good way to do it.

happybrew

[newt]

Intriguing idea but unfortunately, you would also be cramming even more fishermen onto the fewer, already crowded rivers that would still be open. It's hard enough to find a stretch of river that doesn't have a dozen or more boats pounding the water. your scenario would guarantee it.

Guess I'm just a solitude freak and still demand the opportunity to "get away".

[happybrew]

I have always been able to find a river all to myself. Just look for rivers that have no hatchery fish.

happybrew

[Phish_on]

Or NO FISH whatsoever !

That's kind of a cool idea, niv.

There would be selective opposition to restrictions on nearly every river though. A political nightmare for sure, but really a very interesting idea.

[finclipped]

I like the idea. I also like the 1 fish retention limit, as it would still be one more than I would catch anyway. As my friend explains it, "its fishing, not catching."

I agree that the political opposition would make it impossible, but as we continually run out of options for restoring fish, where else do we go?