CCA is the largest marine conservation organization in the nation with 18 state chapters. The Washington State chapter has over 4,000 dedicated members across the state from 18 local chapters. We are a grassroots advocacy organization with a passion for conservation and sport fishing. Please visit www.ccawashington.org for more information
If a million Fall Chinook came up the Columbia (as it should be), would anyone care how much a sealion eats? (once told to me by a famous rod builder) Focus on the main problem, human predation of salmonids/baitfish, and habitat destruction in the greater Gulf of Alaska and Easter Pacific regions, and not the opportunistic habits of another apex predator brought on (mostly) by the changing environments due to anthropogenic activities.
The only video on RU-vid actually dealing with the real problem in terms of Salmon Populations. Over fishing is #1 issue by far! Commercial and Tribal fishing has to be ended if we are going to save the salmon. Full stop.
On my momma bro, swear i been to the columbia and seen hundreds maybe even thousands of boats with at least 2 people. Now take all that for a month straight thats crazy
The difference is we keep hatchery fish... and every single person has paid their dues with licenses, the fish that do get caught are written down via catch card which then makes it back to the state. Educate yourself or shut the fuck up.
It effects it but to no where near the extent of gillnetting. Those collective boats can in a day pull out what one gillnet pulls out in a hour. It's a #'s game. Furthermore the state can simply reduce or increase retention #'s based on the strength of a run during a given year. So in shore the answer is no. Sports fishing isn't really a problem so long as the state properly manages it.
I’m an Oregonian that has fished the Columbia river for 20 years plus . 8-10 years ago Washington and Oregon agreed to charge a fee to sports fishermen to fish the Columbia and it’s tributaries , called the Columbia basin stamp . The revenue created by the stamp was supposed to go to gill net fishermen to either find new employment or switch to seine nets and neither took place . In not so many words , the two states agreed to STEAL AND LIE to the fishermen of the northwest. The bureaucracy is continuing to destroy one of the best fishery’s in the world . Typical political pandering. Who’s getting their pockets padded now ?
No surprises here. The state has created a de facto resource monopoly via commercial and tribal fishing subsidized via hatchery systems and habitat rehabilitation schemes. Furthermore it has a economic and political incentive to keep salmon runs low. Under the current system the PNW salmon is doomed.
But you forgot to mention the gil netters are native. They get to run nets and very next day I have to use a barbless hook. But hey, we all want equity, right?
Actually commercial fisherman in the ocean and sound take more fish and are non natives. But both are the biggest part of the problem. Especially considering the tax payer pays for the salmon the commercial fisherman catches and then sells back to the very tax payer who already paid for the fish via taxes for hatchery, dam removal, habitat rehab ect.
And fish will migrate further into the rivers and reproduce naturally without these dams including hatcheries that only release an amount of fish to only have little return. It's all controlled to keep us under strict demand to keep the anglers spending more and and more money when there's hardly a guarantee to catch fish. Thanks to all the commercial fishermen that get their hands on this fish way before it reaches us "recreationally".
Video should include, " after spending 3+ years at sea facing targeted and by-catch fishing, climate related ocean conditions, and over fishing/depletion of bait fish (food source) on the West coast and greater Gulf of Alaska regions".... the fish return to their native rivers....
the only way selective fisheries will have is if other cheaper methods are outlawed. Unfortunately the commercial fishing industry has deep pockets and don't mind spending lots of lobbying efforts to keep things the way that benefit themselves only. That is why over 60% from what I can tell looking at the north of falcon and other agreements go to commercial fishing while the tribes get 16%, the sporties 12% and 12% for future stocks and error. This is not sustainable. I agree with ending the commercial harvest in rivers and the puget sound and coastal bays, inshore areas completely with the exception of tribal fisheries on a limited scope (not a commercial tribal fishery, sorry guys has to be that way). The fish have to be the priority not pocketbooks. I'll keep supporting you and I ask others to do the same.
Really, the fisheries managers should end all commercial harvest in the rivers. They should also amend the treaties with the tribes to end that netting as well. The tribes can catch them on hook and line like everyone else. Ending the commercial fishery worked for striped bass and red drum on the east coast. It can work for salmon too.
Keep the tribes out with your petty greediness. It's their way of life. And also these tribes have more rights than me and you. It's their lands. Don't forget that.
@@jaimejaimez9968 It's petty greediness to want to save the fishery? It's not the same river or fish stocks as it was in 1885 or whenever the treaty was signed. The tribes are modern people like everyone else so the subsistence argument is moot. It's not like Alaska where there are no stores. Being commercial fishermen isn't/wasn't part of the "way of life" back then either. Won't be much of a way of life when there's nothing left to catch. I'm inclusive ;) . All non-selective harvest must stop if the salmon and sturgeon are to persist. No nets period.
@@jaimejaimez9968 giving a group of people more rights than another group based on ethnicity is an awfully racist thing to say. Hitler also had those views with Jews in Germany. We all know what he did to the Jews since the Germans had more rights than them? Sounds very similar to your argument huh?
There is no question that the commission appears to have an agenda that has nothing to do with the original purpose of the Gillnet Reform Policy, the recreational sportsmen or the fish that should be and are protected under the ESA (Endangered Species Act). It would seem that Mr. Susewind and the members of the commission are at the very least influenced by something other than economics, the recovery of the fish and the mandate of the WDFW. Mr.Susewind if that is not the case, then please explain why the mainstem gillnetting has not yet been ended? With the continuation of Columbia River mainstem gillnets the commission is not only ignoring economics by providing a share of the returning salmon to the gillnetters (which is less each year equating to even less impact that the gillnetters are able to make on the economy vs what would be generated by the recreational fishery) but the purpose of the Gillnet Reform Policy. From the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, the Director’s statement on Columbia River Basin Salmon Management Policy states, “The commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), approved the policy in 2013 with the intent of promoting orderly fisheries, advancing wild salmon and steelhead recovery, and enhancing the economic stability of the state's fishing industry.” The number one provision of the original policy called for transitioning the commercial gillnet fishery off the mainstem Columbia River by developing new off-channel fisheries and phasing in new selective fishing gear. All of which has stalled for some reason, without any explanation for the lack of progress. Unfortunately, it is well known that the Steelhead returns continue to drop far below the dismal salmon returns which per Mr. Susewind’s statement, the commission has committed to, “advancing wild salmon and steelhead recovery”. There is no question that allowing the use of gillnets will further decimate an already stressed Steelhead fishery which has for the last three years seen some of the lowest returns on record. This is most dangerous to the returning Steelhead because the gillnets will kill unacceptable numbers (even one fish should be considered unacceptable) of Steelhead as by-catch. What is worse, as it currently stands, there will be no independent on-board monitoring of by-catch. This should be absolutely distressing to anyone concerned about the Steelhead fishery and should be to the commission as well as a result of the commitment referenced. The past has demonstrated that the gillnetters are not capable of honest reporting when self monitoring. It does not work, they will under report by-catch in order to fish the full allotment of salmon despite killing the number of Steelhead that would otherwise close the gillnet fishing without catching the total allotment of salmon. Go figure? I agree with Jeff Layton, it appears that it may be time to petition Governor Inslee to replace any member of this group willing to continue mainstem gillnetting at the expense of the returning ESA listed steelhead. The lack of up river returns to the upper Columbia, the Snake and other Washington state rivers over the last three years should dictate no gillnets on the mainstem Columbia River without independent 100% monitoring of by-catch. If that cannot be done then there should be no nets. Any support other than that, should result in removal from the commission. Mr.Susewind stated during an interview on Sept.1 (You Tube): WDFW Director Comments on Reaction to Potential Gillnet Reform Policy Changes that he does not see a “no pain alternative”. The up river recreational fishery has had to put up with reduced catch rates as well as shortened seasons for some number of years now… It’s the gillnetters turn to endure some pain. If 30,000 signatures are collected with the intent to call on Governor Inslee to make a change in the commission it remains to be seen but it certainly would be a wake up call for the status quo would it not? Would CCA Washington state, Save Our Wild Salmon, the Wild Fish Conservancy and other conservation groups, businesses like Hotel/Motels, restaurants, guides, outfitters help? I would hope they would add their considerable support...
What is wrong with WDFW commissioners. Ignore science, Ignore commerce money for the state that recreational fishing brings in vast amounts of more money to Washington State. Ignore Oregon, ignore Idaho. We need Governor Jay Inslee to fire WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. I’m tired of going backwards. This was resolved before, leave it as it is. And what happen to the WA. States Columbia River Commercial License buy back program? This is about greed and ignoring the will of the people of Washington State.
You are director of WDFW, not a lobbyist for the Gill Netting Commercial Fishery. Gill Nets are non-selective that are used on the Columbia River. It is your responsibility to be informed. I think you should resign, while we still have some Salmon and Steelhead left in this fishery. Your response is like climate change denying. I think the people of Washington who buy fishing licenses should have a vote on this, as you certainly do not represent my interests or the fish.
