Here is my email to Pat Patillo sent this morning:


Pat

I have been following the discussions concerning possible sports and commercial seasons this July for the Sockeye returning to Lake Washington. In the beginning it appeared that the run prediction would approach 750,000 fish. That would most certainly result in a quality sports fishery in the lake. Then we heard that the budget was a concern and that without additional funding for monitoring of the fishery WDFW would not be able to allow a sports fishery. Then a supplement to the budget was introduced in the legislature where it appears to be passing pending the governor's signature. Then we hear that the $120,000.00 would only allow a short season. During the first NOF meeting in Mill Creek you spoke of a run size much smaller than the 750,000 you are alluding to now. Predictions of a week long sports season were mentioned.

Now we hear that WDFW is entertaining a commercial net fishery outside in area 10, I presume near the entrance to the ship canal. This area is already fished by the tribes. My question is this, why does the sports fishery remain relatively small and yet you entertain a net fishery which would , no doubt, harvest much more in a shorter time than the predicted short sports season? Is the commercial fishery being contemplated monitored and if so at what cost to WDFW? Will you demand observers be onboard all the commercial boats and enforce the rule? I think what you might say is that you don't have enough money to monitor a sports season longer than one week but I will await your answer. Not many would argue that the sports fishery in Lake Washington does not generate the most stimulus to the local economy so I suspect the argument will be that you are "obligated" by legislative mandate to provide a "viable" commercial fishery. I think that is how the line goes. That same legislative mandate provides for a "quality" sports fishery. I suspect there is probably an argument brewing to find a way around the potential bycatch of ESA Chinook that are heading to the same lake as the Sockeye

I look forward to your response which I will pass along to our membership.

Thank You