Its funny that every thing I read about against B.A.N. talks of no more commercial fishing in Washington, Like were trying to shut it down, when in fact its not written or meant to shut it down, its meant to stop a very non-descimitive way of fishing. I read that only 1% of the Commercial fisherman in Washington rely on it for there sole source of income. Thats not because he or she is the only one out there who knows how to catch fish with a net, anyone can and some are truley more succesful. Its because there isnt enough fish, period...(in my opinion). The Commercials lobby that its habitat, that may and to alot of degree it is true but is our state doing anything about it? I dont think so. Are we going to rip down Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, all the dams? I think not. So lets start somewere...Hmmmm, lets see! I know lets remove from our waters the most indescrimitive means of catching fish known to man. And it may be the end of Commercial fishing but not because of the BAN issue its because our state has let this indescrimitive style of fishing go on for too long and theres just no more opportunity for a sizable money making fishery especilly without nets and the sale of By-catch. If there not going to do anything then its up to the people. So by even bringing up the fact that it could come back and bite us because they could pass an inititive to BAN hook and line fishing because of the threatend runs is totally obsered because its one of the most descrimtive fishing styles known to man (in my opionion), and if our fish are at the point were even this method needs to be banned because the mortality rate of catch and release is enough to put them near extinction, then by god I'll vote for it too. I love the sport and own 3 boats and a new truck to pull with,I have alot of money invested in this sport, But in my book nothing can bring back the fish once there gone...And I'm fully ready and know it could happen to keep my boats on the trailer and hope things will recover to were We all can Fish again. And I mean all of us including the Commercial fleets, Lets just try to keep everyone in check from now on.
The Fish are first, Meat in the freezer, write offs, A pleasureable sport, ect take a far behind second...

This is my own opinion and beliefs, take it for what its worth...

Thanks, and vote YES on 696, I did.

Bob D.