If I understand you correctly, you object to this reduced mortality and feel that the four affected river systems should be closed to all fishing instead. I agree that would be better for the fish whose lives are spared, but I don't think it's going to make a significant difference in short term steelhead population productivity.

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Is a Blanket ban going to make a difference? "IF" those four rivers have wild steelhead that are in trouble then yes, close them. Isn't this really about whats best for the fish?
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How about this: if WDFW can provide greater fishing opportunity as a result of a WSR regulation, without adversely affecting the steelhead population, and the alternative is a complete closure to fishing, is that a desireable social and biological outcome?

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Greater opportunity for who? Special interest groups, fishing guides maybe? Arn't there enough hatchery fish to go around? Do we really need to continue killing wild fish?
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Or does it cause the sky to fall and PETA to take over our fish resources?

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That's kind of sarcastic isn't it?
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