Kicking around the math on the seals is good stuff and I think worth challenging the numbers and the assumptions that are connected to the numbers.

Most guys I talk to haven’t read the plan and don’t really care about rockfish. My personal opinion is that this plan is more about “other species” than it is about rockfish and I don’t understand the apathy.

This is from a slide from the Department’s Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan PowerPoint presentation; it is their preferred alternative.

• All fisheries in Puget Sound waters will be managed to ensure the health and productivity of all rockfish populations

– Provides greatest benefit to rockfish because all stocks will be considered in management decisions
– All fisheries will be analyzed for impacts on rockfish
– Fishing opportunities for other species may be limited to protect rockfish

In my opinion the Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan, as written, has the potential to be the most significant issue affecting salmon fishing in Puget Sound since the Boldt decision and only a handful of anglers seem to care.