Okay, I'll admit to having a problem with the mindset of the staff. Anyway.this is what I wrote to the Commission after the workshop:

Thanks for allowing the public input at the workshop. My input was toward item 18.
I believe my point may have been missed. There is a time and place for everything. The staff is proposing to continue gill/tangle nets on the mixed stocks in the Lower Columbia River (with a higher impact on steelhead). This is insane! With the bycatch of 2/3 (ESA listed salmon and steelhead) why in the world should staff continue to cling to the notion that gill/tangle nets should be used? This experiment has failed to show it is a viable way to prosecute the commercial fishery for hatchery salmon.
I believe it's not the commercial fisherman's' fault that they have such a high rate of bycatch since they are required to use the gear specified by staff. Perhaps they should use hook and line since it has proven to be more selective.
Also, the sealion problem on the river has been increased by the number of fish handled in the gill/tangle net process. (The critters see the boats and know there will be an easy meal of stunned fish to follow.)

Sincerly.
Hans M. Mak
(Shelton,WA)