Jaydee,

Spot on on the ID, I thought the Vermillion might puzzle some.

I'm really concerned that some individuals think closing areas is the answer to saving the resource.

There definitely can be reasons to close or place a moratorium on some species to aid recovery, but the MPA concept is ill-founded in my opinion.

The moratorium on Puget Sound Lingcod many years ago is an example of successful fisheries management.

As far as Rockfish are concerned, I don't think the 120 depth restriction is practical, if I were writing the regs it would be no deeper than 60 feet since any rockfish brought up from more than two atmosphere's will blow it's air bladder and likely die if released unless release methods to offset decompression are used.

I can hear the howls about that suggestion!

Certainly fish without swim bladders such as Lingcod can be taken and released at much greater depths.

As sport fisher folks we need to step up and inform the WDFW, the WDFW Commission and our legislative representatives our concern about proper management of our fish and game resources.

If we don't get our point out loud and clear, other special interest groups with different agenda's will likely become successful.