Mr. Silverhilton,

I don't believe in conspiracy theories. Government is quite capable of screwing up the resource with the "best science available."

While I always respect your well thought out and even backed with logic responses, I don't think you are completely on track here. You think that a little education is going to change commercial practices? An aquaintance of mine , retired F&W Sgt. Jim Tuggle, once told me that the compliance rates for commercial fisheries on these runs is less than 18%.

I am aware of how the run is forecast, I also have attended a springer meeting. I just don't have your faith in their modeling and management. I also disagree with the mortality rate you describe for sportsmen. The meeting I attended had the number at 2-10% with the new rules in place. Ok..I agree we need to all practice good release techniques.

Maybe another approach would be to space out the commercial harvest with a less generous netting schedule and base it on the actual run size as it materializes. Since the run can be shut down if the overall wild mortality rate is achieved, and the main culprits are the nets, do they dictate the closure?

And tell me, who catches the most spring salmon?

Sporties?
Netters?
Seals?

Just curious, please tap into your vast storehouse of knowledge.