The Chum run is at a critically low level and they should be protected. Last year alone the QIN and Non-treaty commercial fishers took at least a reported 2007 fish from a forecasted return of around 10,000 fish for the Grays harbor Chum the actual return calculated by WDFW was 9018 fish and of those returning the QIN took 1766 Chum from the Chehalis River side alone. I have to agree with DrifterWA on this one the net schedules for Fall fisheries in grays harbor must be reduced from 5-7 days a week so that more Chum can reach the gravel. Chum used to be in many more streams and tribs than they are currently listed as present. The South Fork Chehalis, Lincoln Creek, the Newaukum, upper mainstem Chehalis, Bunker Creek, Garrard Creek, Independence Creek, and Scatter Creek. I know at least one was seen on a recently opened passage barrier on a trib of Garrard Creek. The Black River used to have huge runs with many fish going to the far reaches of it's tribs. The loss of these fish has created degraded habitat for other species that rear in the Chehalis by providing less nutrients, and less removal of fine sediments through mass spawning during high flows.

In the future the Grays Harbor Chum may have to become ESA listed for protection in the harbor and the upper river. I would hate to see what kind of problems that could cause for everyone.