Since the WDFW and the Wildlife and Game Commission is in the process of accepting and enacting a new law; the one that will make it illegal to remove a wild or native salmon or steelhead from the water (Rule # 27 Removing Steelhead and Salmon from fresh water) when it is being released; will the "gill netters" have to follow the same standards and rule?

Since the reason that is given for proposing this new rule (law) is done under this justification; "to improve survival of released fish because they will not have the additional handling and stress caused by their removal from the water", why shouldn't this rule apply to all forms of fishing?

Will they (the gill netters) legally be required to do the same? If not, why not? Since their fishing methods involve far more (or at least as much) "stress" and handling as that of sport fishing does, why should they be allowed to continue to stress and harm the same fish that we must not do any harm to?

This one begs a legal challenge folks!


Cowlitzfisherman