Good Question Sky-Guy, I agree that is a favorable way to manage for maximum escapement, though it makes it very difficult to set both recreational and commercial fisheries when you manage this way. The way it is done now is not always very accurate but it does allow the co-managers to set seasons based on pre-season numbers. Saltwater seasons would be impossible to set if you managed this way. Certain rivers it is nearly impossible to know exact counts before fish are spawning.

The way pre season forcasts are derived now is the best approach we have to set seasons. I just wish the co-managers can do a better job of not cutting it so close and making sure if a run comes in under estimates that they have left enough to meet escapement.

In my opinion a run should never be under escapement if a sport and commercial fishery takes place. the managers need to error on the side of the fish to make sure lean years are not overharvested, and do in season updates and curtail seasons if need be.