Originally Posted By: AuntyM
Parker, I think whatever you think you learned about the selectivity of gillnets has been revised by scientists. Time for some refresher courses I think.

The bycatch is too high, like it or not and WDFW does not WANT observers on gillnet boats.



No. Other way around. Look up "selectivity" as it pertains to a fisheries technique. Gillnets will be at the top of the list. That has not changed.

Gillnets can select for bycatch. Fish them differently. It's just that easy.

You're missing the subtle point that in theory it all boils down to management of the nets. Not the net themselves.

You cheated on your last sentence. REALITY is trumping THEORY at this point. The REALITY is that it's too easy to just dump nets in the water, kill everything of a certain size, pull them up, and harvest the fish without any real tracking of data, etc.

Ok, I've had my fun. I'll keep my fingers crossed for tomorrows vote to save the fish.

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T.K. Paker