Just a question, and I have no idea of how this would run.
Let's say, for the sake of discussion, that in view of the short runs of winter run steelhead this season, an individual (or group) wanted to curtail tribal fishing.
Or if someone witnessed a clear violation (or abuse) of tribal fishing and wanted it stopped.
Or even if we were certain beyond reasonable doubt that tribals were harvesting fish in excess of the quantities granted in the treaties and Boldt decision.
Who would you talk to? WDFW? US Marshal? Tribal cops?
Who gets involved? Is it the feds, or is it up to only the State to file the complaint / get an injunction, or whatever.
Has it ever been attempted? Are there any legal precedents?
I don't like the idea of getting any enforcement agency involved, but maybe collectively we need help, before the fish are gone forever.
Everyone is talking about energy shortages and looming crises, tied to the shortage of rainfall, etc... There hasn't been any mention about the damage the same conditions are doing to the runs. This coupled with tribal netting, and the writing on the wall is getting clearer.
The sport fishery,I dont believe, harvests enough fish to significantly affect the return, but tribal commercial fisheries do. And I dont believe any of it is used for tribal subsistence.
I'm not a lawyer, and I truly dont know, but it seems there must be some means available to get the nets out of the rivers on at least a temporary basis, so we can get enough fish into the spawning grounds(or whatever) to sustain the fishery.
I dont even know if this is a legitimate question or if I'm just snivelling cause I'm not catching the fish I think I should.