Originally Posted By: eyeFISH
The answer has 2 components

1) the level of acceptable exploitation on non-target species. A cap must be set on by-catch whether incidental outright mortality or release mortality or both. Fishing stops when the cap is projected to be met. I believe this is the "standard" you are looking for. It also happens to be a highly variable number depending on the stock in question.


The relative "health" of the stock (as determined by WDFW) dictates the "acceptable" exploitation rate (impact).

As an example, Chehalis fall chinook = 10%, wild upper CR spring chinook = 15%, CR tules = 41%

Not defending these percentages, just the messenger.
_________________________
"Let every angler who loves to fish think what it would mean to him to find the fish were gone." (Zane Grey)

"If you don't kill them, they will spawn." (Carcassman)


The Keen Eye MD
Long Live the Kings!