Wow! That is a one very good letter!

I can think of only one thing to add. As part of adaptive management, lower Columbia River non-treaty commercial gillnetting has become an anachronism that has outlived its usefulness to society. Treaty fishing provides far more commercially caught salmon to the market place and will continue to do so. I think we should consider using the Columbia River endorsement fee to annually buy back CR gillnet licenses until all of them are permanently retired.

The CR endorsement was originally proposed to raise money to enhance recreational fishing opportunity by providing additional fishery monitoring. The endorsement raises more than enough money for this, and it becomes necessary to develop projects to spend the money according to its intent. Permanently removing NT commercial gillnets is another way to enhance recreational fishing, so that should be a qualified use of the funds.

Sg