Unfortunately, yes it is. While the nets do in fact cause substantial impacts on steelhead, it is classified as "by-catch." By law, WDFW is required to provide viable fisheries for both commercial and sport fisheries. The issue is that the nets are not the "selective" tool that WDFW has put their hope and faith in. This has been admitted publicly. What needs to happen is for the law to change in Washington where priority is placed on sportfisheries not "viable" fisheries.