Rich - I think you are missing the point. This is not about me. It does not matter who I work for, the tribes, the state, the feds, consultants, greenpeace, etc. It does not matter who I support or who I sympathize with. Whether I am happy with tribal fisheries or not, is not at issue. What is at issue is misinformation and different ways of looking at how our resources are co-managed. I only offer a view if it might help correct a misconception. And I am one who looks at both sides, all sides, of fisheries management. Why? Because its the law. And an example of bigotry is the view that one side of our co-management arrangement is doing nothing but destroying our resource. It just isn't true.

grandpa - the state has no control over indian fishing. If there is a conservation issue then both side cease fishing. Thats the way it works. Again, these are not my beliefs, thats just the way it is. As for hunting, this is another arena entirely. Treaty hunting rights have not been adjudicated in federal court as fishing rights have. There are many, many instances where the State has prosecuted indians under State law and will likely continue doing so. Yes we do have the balls and we are using them.

ramprat - Again, this is not my mind we are talking about here. Believe me, mine is open. I deal with what people want from the resource on a regular basis... indian fishermen, commercial fishermen, sport fishermen, developers, legislators, environmental groups, feds, etc. My mind is opened on a continual basis. I could not agree more that fishermen who break the rules are in need of a ticket and conviction if guilty... ANY fishermen. Having said that, bigotry is indeed the right word. Sorry, but the shoe fits.

MasterCaster - No, we would not put a stop to it. We would negotiate for what we want. That's how it works. I am sure you know that Puget Sound chinook are listed as threatened under our (USA's) ESA. Did you also know that of all the Puget Sound chinook harvested in marine waters each year, most are caught in Canada? We don't like it and we will attempt to change the situation through negotiation and use of the co-management process... much like the process we use with the tribes.

boater - Again, this is not about me or who I work for. Suffice to say I know about the management of our fisheries resources in this State and I am sharing this perspective. It is not about liking it, it is about understanding how things work.

Speaking of open minds... let me share a perspective that I have been confronted with on a number of occasions. I read a lot about perspectives here but what about the perspective of the "other" side? I can share one. Many complain about the treaties. But how many know that indians complain about the treaties as well? You might be surprised how many indians would be happy to do away with the treaties... all we have to do is give western washington back to them.

Merry Christmas