The root cause could be and probably is a combination of problems that should be looked at. And I think that over harvest by all parties involved is a big one. That is why I would be in favor of reduced limits rather than mandatory catch and release. This is not a OP only problem, it's a problem statewide. I am NOT against catch and release if that is our only option. I believe that if done responsibly and before our fish get into even more trouble, reduced limits could be more effective than mandatory catch and release. Reduced limits will lessen fishing pressure more that catch and release would. The idea being to kill less fish, catch and release certainly does that but so would reduced limits. I would like to see a win win situation for everyone including the fish. I don't personaly fish the OP more than once or twice a year and I can assure you that the impact that I persoanly have on OP wild fish is zero. I don't claim to have all the answers or even any answers at all. I'm just a fisherman that would like to see our fish runs remain healthy and at the same time look out for the best interest of WA anglers. Done responsibly, I believe it is possible to accomplish both goals.

Ulitmatly what would be best for the OP fish is not to fish for them at all. That is an option and one that I would consider.