Columbia River Springers Options!!!!

Oly Angler · 01-02-2004, 12:56 PM

Of the five options looked at by WDFW staff(50/50, 60/40 Sport, 60/40 Commercial, 63/35, and 70/30(, only 3 were modeled with the new commercial mortality rate. These were 50/50, 60/40 Sport and 60/40 Commercial. It is my understanding that this is what WDFW will present to the Washington Commission on the 17th. THIS IS A MOVE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!!!!

Last season the allocation was under the matrix which ended up to be approximately 65/35 (The fact that sports only were able to access 78% of that is a different story

). Any of the three options modeled that are presented by WDFW is a step backward in the allocation process for sportsfishing and this is a two-year deal!!!

The Washington Commission needs to know that this is not acceptable and the staff needs to hear that the rest of the options need to be modeled as well. Contact the Washington Commissioners and let them know. Cindy LeFleur from WDFW in Vancouver is the one to contact concerning the modeling of the other options. She needs to be pressed to do this. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!

As my grandfather once said, "If you don't vote, don't gripe." This is true here. If you don't get involved in this process, there is no need to complain about it later. The opportunity to make your voice heard is here. The need is great. The Commission and staff need to know that we are a united and powerful voice. If you as anglers don't get involved then the opportunity in this fishery will decrease. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Let your voices be heard on what needs to be done concerning the allocation of this world class fishery.

Fishaholic2 · 01-02-2004, 01:22 PM

It is sad that such a small minority has such a large influence on the resource we all cherish.

I think it time to put forth another total net ban top the voters. It HAS worked well in every other state that has passed one and the resource has recoverd to good levels.

There is nothing we can do about the tribal nets, but the non-tribal nets need to be eliminated. The ban should include buying back all permits and boats from the individuals affected.

I would very much like for a commerical netted to post how much of an annul income they would lose after annual expenses on thier boat and gear. I just don't think there are many netters that rely on this as their sole source of income. However, I do know of several individuals who do it as a money making hobby. I do not want to take anyones income away and would be willing to pay more for my lic with the proceeds going to the commericals for a set number of years.

In the mean time, I WILL be contacting everyone I can.

Pete · 01-02-2004, 01:29 PM

This TAC model does not appear to follow the wishes expressed by the Oregon Commission. We have ONE LAST CHANCE to express our concerns to the Oregon Commission on January 9. I posted the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission Hearing announcement. I will be there, but we need people to show an interest. This is very important to our spring chinook fishery!

freespool · 01-02-2004, 04:57 PM

Thank you Pete for putting out the word on this issue. I plan on attending the meeting,and voicing my support for the 70% sport and 30% gillnetter plan.

salmon hugger

iwanttofish · 01-02-2004, 07:14 PM

Ok then I am not up to speed on getting something like this going but how do we get started. Lets try to get this in the ballot. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[ 01-02-2004, 08:15 PM: Message edited by: iwanttofish ]

Mrdorkfish · 01-02-2004, 09:10 PM

Give me a week when the run is in and that's all i need. I don't vote and i don't gripe. I have confidence in myself to get a few :tongue: Is it so hard to catch a fish?? I catch more fish when the nets are in and the numbers are low than when there are 10k going over the dam. Tune those skills. :tongue:

:grin:
MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Louis

Oly Angler · 01-03-2004, 08:28 AM

All five options now have models thanks to the quick response by Cindy LeFleur. The reason that I was told that only three options were modeled was that the Commercials had asked for the 50/50 being done. Cindy also sent them the two 60/40 splits. I spoke with Cindy Friday and she quickly sent me the other two options modeled. Cudos to her for her quick turn around on the data. If anyone wants these models (they are easy to read and understand) please PM me and I will send them to you. They are in an Excel spreadsheet.

iwanttofish, to get something like this going you need to contact the Commissioners in Oregon and express your support for the continued strength of the sport fishery and let them know what option you are in favor of. (I am in favor of the 70/30 personally). Also testifying on the 9th will help as well. Pete has posted time and place for that.

It looks as if the WDFW staff may present the 50/50 and two 60/40 options to the Washington Commission. This is a step in the wrong direction. Last year sports increased their allocation from approx. 60/40 to 65/35. One thing to remember is that in the last two years, sports only were able to utilize 94 and 78% of their allocation respectively. So whatever we get as an allocation, we will not see all of it as some is used as a buffer for mainstem and terminal commercial fisheries. The terminal fisheries surprised the two Departments on impacts the last two years from my understanding.

Pete · 01-03-2004, 08:34 AM

Good work! I'm glad the other options will be available for consideration. Now we all have to get to work to see that the 65/35 and 70/30 options are given adequate consideration and support!

Please plan to testify at the Commission meeting in Salem on Friday, January 9th and again in Olympia on January 17th!

ODF Comm'n Mtg - Jan. 9

Washington Commission - Columbia Salmon allocation is item 10

[ 01-03-2004, 09:38 AM: Message edited by: Pete ]

Oly Angler · 01-05-2004, 02:10 PM

Here are an excerpt from the models that were released last week.

Impact Total Catch Sharing Total Catch
Share Comm Sport Comm Sport

50/50 40.6% 59.4% 19,986 29,288
60/40 spt 34.5% 65.5% 17,666 33,580
40/60 spt 47.2% 52.8% 22,306 24,995
65/35 spt 30.6% 69.4% 16,506 35,726
70/30 spt 28.0% 72.0% 15,346 37,872

Hope this helps with any testimony that ifish addicts plan to give at either Commission meeting.

Gun Rod Bow · 01-05-2004, 03:21 PM

So Pete,

Pardon my slow headedness, but it sounds like if we show up at Salem for the meeting, sign up on the sheet, we can speak for up to 5 minutes.

Something like "I'm a concerned sportfisher who would like to advocate the 70% sport 30% commercial plan due to what I believe is the greater good to the Oregon economy and better protection of wild fish as proven by data gathered over the past few years"...

Is that the type of help we need to provide?

What time should we show up in order to sign up to comment?

Thanks for all your work on this!

Pete · 01-05-2004, 03:54 PM

GRB,
The doors usually open about 8, but you can probably sign up until about 10.

You've got the right idea with testimony. The reason for the 70/30 is so we can fish through the month of April. What is particularly useful is to talk about how important this fishery is to you and your family, the good times you shared with your father or daughter, how your wife likes to fish late in the season, how your uncle from Topeka had to cancel a visit because the season got cut off unexpectedly last year or the year before. Personal experiences of the value of this fishery to you as a sport fisherman, how much you spend and where you spend it are helpful in demonstrating the importance of this fishery to Oregon.

Gun Rod Bow · 01-07-2004, 01:18 PM

Bump

Anybody going to Salem to testify on Friday?

Thanks Pete,

I'll try, could be tough with work schedules in the blender right now.

[ 01-07-2004, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: Gun Rod Bow ]

Pete · 01-07-2004, 01:21 PM

The Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife will brief of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission this Friday, Jan. 9, on the Columbia River oversize sturgeon fishery. Public testimony will be heard at that time. The same presentation on current research data that was to be presented tonight will be presented Friday.

Friday's Commission meeting is currently expected to be held in the headquarters office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Ave. N.E. in Salem. The meeting begins at 8 a.m.

I'll be there!