WN1A - I like the way you are thinking.

The protocols already exist in the statutes for the Commission to set such rules on manner of take. It would be much easier (used loosely) for the WAC to be amended than to allow the legislature to get involved. There are inherent risks in establishing take rules by statute.

The biggest one is that if things change, for good or bad, you need to get new legislation to amend or repeal the old legislation. We're living with the problem we now have because the statutes that were administered by the Dept of Fisheries are still on the books and they give "strength" to the commerical lobby.

The Commission can make the regualtions more restrictive (and in many cases they should) but the question is whether or not such action would then see them pushed off the Commission only to be replaced by the representatives of the commercial sector like we've had in the past.

It all boils down to what is best for the resource and if the resource needs to be protected we all have to accept the fact that our recreational and commerical opportunities may become limited.

....and, we can't forget that the Fed's and the courts along with the tribes are also players and their rules can be different than ours. We can be more restrictive when federal rules are in place - we can't be more liberal.