I'm all for a hatchery-targeted fishery. It's the by-catch issue that troubles me.

I agree that there would be less overall impact from allowing fishermen to keep the first two silvers instead of hooking and maiming 7 and killing half of those, before getting a hatchery fish. I know that attitude runs counter to a lot of the C&R arguments I see on this board. I think it's a different argument for silvers vs. steelhead, though.

My concern is that WDFW is estimating about 4 or 5 unclipped fish for each clipped fish for the king fishery. I see it as revisiting Sekui conditions everywhere in the strait.

I'd rather see them extend blackmouth fishing into May, where there might be some incidental mortality of early kings. The ratios are better (clipped vs. unclipped) that time of year, as there really aren't kings in great numbers.

Can people write in comments as well as attend those meetings? I can't get away from family obligations so easily.