I think the commercial fishing interests convinced their lobbyists at Region 5 WDFW that they could not meet the guidelines and still net the springers in the CR. Their performance that first time out with those stupid tangle nets when they caught some 25,000 incidental steelhead was proof. After that they had no choice but to put forward a recommendation that "fit" with the reality of gill netting. Remember that their goal is to provide that "viable" commercial fishery that state statutes mention. That is always the fallback battle cry of WDFW and the commission any time they are questioned about doing something radical to help commercial fishing. That same state law mentions "quality" sport fishing.

Viable means that it can support itself and can survive without outside help. Quality sports fishing is open to real interpretation. I think the RCW needs to be changed to get rid of that viable language and focus on policy that takes into account the benefit of sports fishing and the tremendous economic benefit to the state it brings with it. The RCW should also take into account the "maximum sustainable survival of our fish" and toss out the "maximum sustainable yield" philosophy that helps these outlaw staff members of WDFW support their outmoded policies that blatantly support commercial fishing at all costs.
Just my humble opinion