I just realized something that is not exactly correct. When the policy was developed it was very clear that with Willapa prime the Forks Cr. Chinook production would be reduced to 350,000 which is a 90% reduction in smolt releases. For many of the Recs it was all about no nets in T or U and not the production level. A gentleman from Seattle (BK) argued forcefully that this would destroy those fisheries, in particular the mom & pop small boat and it did. I even accepted it, recognizing what would happen, as WDFW staff and Commissioners made up their collective minds. The decision was pushed through and no one was going to get them change it back then.

All that said for the past five years myself, BK, and others have addressed the issue even to the Commission in writing. Simple fact is 5 years after the implementation of the policy the North Willapa Bay Chinook fisheries were going to be a thing of the past. This is not brain surgery folks. When you reduce production by 90% the remaining 10% will provide very limited bay opportunity and almost none in years of low ocean survival. The blame game is more of a shared thing to be honest for the agency, Commissioners, and harvesters.

Now the unwillingness to recognize that something went really wrong here and to take actions to alter the outcome is WDFW's baby. They own that.