There are several things coming out of this: first, the only way to have an effect on the Makahs, apparently, is to shine the light of publicity on them. I've contacted the editor of my local newspaper, the Peninsula Daily News, forwarding Yuasa's story. Everyone on this thread should do the same with their local papers as well as the big regionals.

Next, we all should contact the TV station tip lines. The way I look at it, this is tantamount to theft of public resources....granted that probably won't hold much water in a court.

Everyone should write to the WDFW Commission as well as their state legislators. Gregoire should know of this as should Rossi (if she doesn't respond, maybe he will hold her feet over the fire). We should all contact the Makah tribal office.

This affects all salmon fishermen in the state, from the blackmouth fishermen in South Sound to the springer fishermen in the Columbia. It will take a better biologist than I to say for sure (I'm just guessing) but the milling/feeding grounds off Neah Bay contains stocks that shoot through to the Columbia and may well contain springers. If all of Area 6 is open to their fishery, then the Makahs are able to fish all through the Strait to Port Townsend. Those 20,000 fish (as of January 10) came from our blackmouth season and springer seasons.

If you don't catch much this year, you know who to thank.

Keith