MPM -
In regard to the statement that the non-treaty fishers have exceeded more than a 50% share on some allocation stocks. It has been clear from the beginning that non-treaty fishers and especially the recreational fleet has a strong desire to fish in mix-stock areas (most of the marine waters of the state). Such fisheries are typically limited by impacts on the weakest stock being caught in that fishery. For much of Puget Salmon marine recreational fisheries those weakest stocks include stocks like the mid-Hood Canal Chinook. It is the norm for the recreational fishing impacts on that particular stock to exceed 50%.

If the non-treaty impacts on those mid-Hood Canal were reduced to the 50% level there would be less marine mix-stock fisheries and in some specific areas (MA7, MA 9, MA 10) there would be significantly shorter season than those we enjoyed in past years. The non-treaty fishers if desiring to catch their full share (50%) of the catch would be left with the task of attempting to catch their fish in the extreme terminal areas where the individual stocks have sorted themselves out. The non-treaty fishers are left with the choice of prioritizing their fishing in mixed stock areas (top priority for many recreational anglers) or in the terminal areas (top priority for the non-treaty commercial fishers).

Curt