Made time to go to the Friday Harbor meeting. The 12:00 noon start gave me time to catch a ride on the Hyak, have an early lunch, and walk to the UW campus. Nice day for a brisk walk in the Pacific Northwest!

Small crowd, I counted 6 (including myself) plus 2 WDFW, Greg Bargmann and Wayne Palsson.

Same presentation as Mill Creek, it was video taped for the records.

I took these notes from the presentation and 'clarification' question and answer period (this was not taped - off the record);

* WDFW have no specific definition for 'sufficient size' and 'location' of MPAs proposed by the draft plan. (it is a blank check)
* Seals are predators of rockfish. The draft plan identifies 2 estimates for seal consumption of rockfish; 300,000 per year is an estimate from NOAA, 12% of diet is an estimate from the 'Jeffries' San Juan Island report.
* Stock estimates for Canary and Yelloweye are based on ocean surveys. WDFW data indicate these fish migrate into Puget Sound from the ocean and are not a unique population.
* NOAA endangered listing for Bocaccio assumes the Puget Sound population is unique. WDFW data indicate these fish migrate into Puget Sound from other areas and are not a unique population.
* The draft plan discusses Puget Sound Rockfishes and Puget Sound Rockfish. Puget Sound Rockfishes refers to all rockfish in Puget sound, Puget Sound Rockfish is the name of a specific rockfish. The Puget Sound Rockfish is included in the draft plan as a reference stock because it is not fished in the Puget Sound.
* Ocean stocks are very productive, black rockfish populations are OK and being managed well.
* Lingcod likely have negative impact to rockfish populations.
* Black rockfish used to be 10% to 20% of P.S. recreational fishery, where did they go ? Data indicates population declines were associated with 'climate change' a few years ago. There was a large influx of black rockfish into Puget Sound from Ocean in 2006, these fish are growing and reoccupying habitat in Puget Sound.
* WDFW do not have study of ocean acidification
* WDFW are coordinating with NOAA on Federal listing of rockfish as threatened and endangered species; participation in meetings and providing comments. The Federal listing will take into account conservation efforts made to protect Puget Sound rockfish.

There were only 2 people who provided public testimony. A summary of my statements;

* I read the 2009 Wild Fish Journal published by the Wildfish Conservancy that was distributed at the Mill Creek meeting. Reading the MPA article from the viewpoint of a recreational fisherman, their discussion about fishermen is divisive and offensive. What do they expect to accomplish by publishing inflammatory rhetoric? Check the records for contributions made to conservation by sportsmen in this country, it is significant.
* For me, MPAs mean elimination of opportunity to fish for salmon, ling, halibut, crab, and shrimp. While I agree with many of the proposals in the draft plan, I can not agree to 'blank check' approval of MPA. (MPAs are a solution looking for a problem)
* Very concerned about declining fish stocks in Puget Sound. Reviewing data from the WDFW and NOAA; compared to harbor seal consumption of rockfish, sportfishermen took 20% during years 1978 through 1993 and less than 1% during years 1994 through 2007. If we assume the sportcatch goes to zero next year, it will only be enough rockfish for a small percentage of the (estimated) additional 1,200 harbor seal population.
* Harbor seals do not belong in lake Washington. I understand Lake Washington salmon and steelhead stocks are some of the most depleted in the state. I have seen harbor seals feeding on salmon at the north end of lake Washington, I can only watch in horror.
* Why would NOAA, or anyone, accept the proposal when it does not identify conservation measures recommended by NOAA that will protect declining populations of rockfish, herring, salmon, steelhead, and Orcas ?

Hung out with Doc at Haleys for awhile and then I went to the whale museum. Paid the $6 to go upstairs, I could not get out of there quick enough - that place gave me the creeps.

Nice ride back to Anacortes, stopped by the Village for pizza and libation. Next stop, Olympia.

See ya there. I will be the guy wearing this shirt;

Many
Problems
Ahead

Just Say No