This is great news for recreational anglers! NMFS has agreed to continue the protection of wild fish while allowing fishing for hatchery fish through the flexibility in the ESA.

The Hogan decsion said the NMFS had to list both hatchery and wild fish or not list both hatchery and wild fish but they couldn't list one stock (the wild fish) and not list the hatchery stock. In their latest draft policy, NMFS will take the middle ground. They will list both hatchery and wild fish but allow limited harvest on those populations that have large hatchery runs. That makes sense.

But I find it ironic that recreational anglers do this everyday. That is, we target the hatchery fish and release the wild fish, while taking extra precautions not to harm those fish that are released. Perhaps NMFS took a clue from recreational anglers.

The fact that property rights groups, irrigation interests, power companies, the dredge/fill crowd, etc are hopping mad about this decision says alot. They got what they asked for, unfortunately for them, it wasn't what they wanted.

NMFS often takes some serious criticism on this BB for their incomprehensible policies. This time, they deserve better.