The situation with the Tulalip Chinook is a classic illustration of how are sport seasons are limited and constructed.

The amount of time on the marine waters for the Puget Sound recreational fleet is limited by impacts on the weakest ESA listed stocks encountered in the fishery; not the amount of the available hatchery fish. However having more hatchery fish available means that each of those critical ESA listed fish killed more hatchery fish will be harvested.

Because the many of the recreational anglers but a high value on being about to fish in the salt; which by their very nature are mixed stock areas they potential harvest will always be limited those impacts on the weakest stocks. For most tribal fisheries which take place in terminal areas the amount of allowable impacts available is determined by the local stocks; not the weakest Puget Sound stock (except for those terminal fisheries for those weakest stocks).

The State could easily more fairly balance the harvest ledger for Puget Sound Chinook any time it desired. All that is need is to shift the harvest effort from mixed stock areas (less marine water fishing) to the terminal areas and allocate more of the harvest to gill nets and less for the recreational fishery. Currently Commission policy calls for the recreational fishery be given first priority at the non-treaty share for Puget Sound Chinook and it is clear at NOF that much of the angler community puts a high priority on being able to fish those mixed stock areas like MAs 7, 9, 10, 11, 5 etc.

I can understand those decisions but anglers must be prepared to answer the question of what is more important to them. Is having a more equitable 50/50 sharing of harvest (and what it takes to get there) or having those mixed stock fisheries (even though that means giving up some harvest) the most important? The harsh reality in today's world of ESA listed fish we can not have it both ways.

For sure something to think about. For those that have considered that above question and developed a strong opinion on how that decision is made I encourage you to find a way to get involved in the NOF season setting process. Yes I realize that whole process is a colossal pain in the rear, far too complex, can be unfair and frustrating but it is the venue we have to influence our seasons.

Curt