Originally Posted By: Smalma

It would then quickly follow that all the rivers could be closed to steelhead fishing. Such actions would eliminate any steelhead fishing related mortalities from the equation and allow society to use any productivity the various PS rivers may have to support non-fishing uses.


This scenario is not allowed by the Stevens treaties, though. This is what the tribes have been saying for years and put in writing in their "Treaty Rights at Risk" white paper in 2011. The tribes have continued to say that habitat must bear its fair share of the burden of conservation (see http://bit.ly/1J7EcWu). Eliminating or reducing fishing or hatchery programs will do no good unless habitat is protected and restored at the same time. Anyone interested in a future that includes fishing has to agree with this. Maybe, finally, we will see some alliances formed to make some big changes in how habitat is managed.
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Two Dogs