I got this from PSA's March Board meetings that was sent to me. So it appears to me as an outsider that PSA isn't infavor of the steelhead moritorium.
JJ

On behalf of the NOP chapter, Dave Croonquist presented a resolution passed by the NOP Board in opposition to the moratorium on retention of wild steelhead and asked for support from the PSA State Board. The resolution was read and the Board passed it unanimously. Dave also indicated that a letter was being prepared to send to WDFW Commission Chairman Will Roehl. Copies of the resolution and letter follow.
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North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
March 4, 2004

Mr. Will Roehl, Chairman
Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission
600 Capitol Way North
Olympia, Washington 98382

Dear Chairman Roehl and Commission Members:

The North Olympic Peninsula Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers (PSA/NOP) does not support the imposition of a statewide moratorium on wild Steelhead retention. We would like to make the following comments about the moratorium:

• Process – The process that resulted in the moratorium was flawed and not consistent with your normal approach to regulation setting. It appears that a specific interest group had an agenda and used the system to obtain their goal. Their goal was not subjected to public or Co-Manager query and was in conflict with staff recommendations.
• Wild Steelhead Declines in the Strait of Georgia and Puget Sound – The moratorium does not address the problem (cause) and helps hide the symptoms. The WDFW and the Commission should work proactively to complete and implement the new Steelhead Management Plan.
• Sustainable Fisheries Act, 1996 – A goal of the Sustainable Fisheries Act was to ensure sustainable fisheries and permit harvest on healthy species/stocks. A statewide moratorium on wild steelhead retention is counter to the stated goal of the Act, given that the Co-Managers have identified harvestable stocks of wild steelhead, many of which are indigenous to the Olympic Peninsula.

The PSA/NOP Chapter requests that the Fish & Wildlife Commission modify the applicable regulations based upon WDFW staff and Co-Manager recommendations to permit wild steelhead retention in watersheds that have been determined capable of supporting a wild steelhead fishery based on scientific evidence of wild steelhead populations in excess of the numbers needed to sustain the run in a river or river basin.

Please understand that PSA/NOP chapter leadership and members are conservation activists and are members of many WDFW Advisory Boards. Our primary goals and involvement are directed towards:
• Conservation of species/stocks for future generations
• Habitat restoration and protection
• Science based management of resources
• Sustainable fisheries for recreational, commercial, and Treaty fisheries

Sincerely,
Tom Duttrey, President
Puget Sound Anglers, North Olympic Peninsula Chapter
84 Windsong Ln.
Sequim,Wa. 98382
360-683-0681