I think that this is a point of contention, when the commercial fleet adapts to a less lethal capture method, they will in turn want more of the allocation.
Saying it isn't so, doesn't necessarily make it so.
As a person who has been directly participating in the allocation process on the CR, on behalf of the fish and the sportfishers, I would have to say that CCA's plan will lead directly to more allocation for the commercials.
The only stake holder that would prosper under this plan is the commercials, sports and the fish will lose.
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Freespool,
You continue to look short term. You mention fish, but you dont specify hatchery vs wild. Sportsmen have already lost big time. Our winter season is going to be cut to the middle of February instead of the end of February, so that you guys wont target wild steelhead on Puget Sound rivers. One of the WSC members actually wanted the season to end at the end of JANUARY. Dont know his name. I was there and I heard it. So was Jerry Garcia and Curt. I may swallow the middle of February, but not January. In fact I see no reason hatchery water should be shut down the middle of February. let us clean out the late fish. Ive caught hatchery fish at Lewis Street Bridge in the middle of February, only a few years ago.

WSC isnt the fall guy here,(its one opinion) Im just making a point we have been getting bent over because of bad management, lopsided commissions and overharvest and dams and blah blah. blah. We are lucky to have a commission.


I fully expect the commercials to ask for more fish. It doesnt stop the PSA from lobbying for more allocation, based on larger economic impact for the lower Columbia businesses. We would save a lot of wild fish, if selective gear was adopted immediately. You are dismissing any increase in hatchery fish from the future tribal hatchery around Okanogan. We are losing more fish to closed hatcheries, so selective gear is not my boogy man. Lets not forget, the columbia was closed to us for a long time. While we may lose some CR harvest for a period of time, we will also gain ground on wild Salmon, Steelhead and sturgeon for the long run. Doing nothing to preserve our hatchery allocation at the table, is not a long term plan.
As for your position on commercial take at the ladders? You will need more money, than the guys who sell boats and equipment for the commercial industry.