Ditto Salmonbelly.

This is the second low winter year in a row (although much better than last year). Hatchery runs in Puget Sound streams are suffering from lower survival rates than their counterparts in SW WA and the coast. Native run size has also been lower in Sound streams over the past several years. Similar lower run sizes have been observed on Vancouver Is streams that flow to the Sound (Strait of Georgia) compared with those streams that flow out onto the Strait of Juan de fuca and continental shelf.

Something is going on in the Sound that is lowering steelhead survival. Perhaps its natural and cyclical, perhaps its not; no one knows (its certainly not affecting PS salmon runs). Hatchery and early nate showings this winter suggest that things maybe getting better, but we really won't know until the end of the season.

Its easy to see Fish Mgmts thinking: it only took us a week to get to 1.3; lets see if we can ensure a normal years egg take by keeping it closed thru the next high water. Given whats going on, I think being conservative on their egg take is the way to go.