For this discussion solutions will be directed at the Chinook imbalance. Of the top of my head I can think of 3 possible solutions to the catch inequities between the non-treaty and treaty catches . I believe all three would stay well within the confines of ESA limitations and Boldt.

The first two should greatly increase the non-treaty harvest numbers and are relatively straight forward. The third is more complex and would still likely the non-treaty share on the short side though potentially improve their share.

1) The most simple would be for the recreational fishery to significantly lower the minimum size limit for Chinook (say to 12 or 16 inches -sound familiar to the old timers) and regard mandatory retention of all "legal" size adipose clipped fish. Depending on the year and MA that would likely increase the numbers of landed Chinook during the summer season by 10 to 50%. During the winters seasons the number of kept fish would at least double. While much of the recreational catch would be sub-adult fish the numbers of fish landed by the recreational fishers could actually exceed that by the tribes (even though they may have more adult fish available to their fisheries).

2) While more complex than the first this option would also have a high probability of matching the non--treaty and treaty Chinook catches. It would require WDFW commission action to change two keep NOF policies for Puget Sound.. It cost the recreational fisheries significant numbers of landed fish by the high utilization of mixed stock fisheries and rod and reels over nets for the bulk of Chinook lands. Under this approach the bulk of fishing would be collapsed to terminal areas and the rivers. MA 5, MA 6 (at least until Elwha and Dungeness populations rebound), MA 9 would be closed to Chinook fishing. MA 7, MA 8-1, MA8-2 Chinook fisheries would be collapsed to terminal bays (for example MA 7 fishing would be collapsed to Bellingham and Samish bays) to target hatchery Chinook or abundant wild stocks.

MAs 10, 11, 12 and 13 and most of their associated freshwater would remain open for Chinook for the recreational anglers with the addition of Chinook directed commercial fisheries in terminal areas (Elliot Bay, Commence Bay, lower Hood Canal and Nisqually reach While this option reduced recreational fishing areas and total rod-days it would balance the catch inequities between the treaty and non-treaty fishers with adult fish.

3) This option is much more complex and even at its best will still result in a lower sharing of the either the total ESA impacts or adult equivalent it has the potential to raise the non-treaty share while still maintaining WDFW commission polices of prioritizing the recreational fishery and provide a diversity of angler opportunities across the region. The goal would balance the desire catches and over man-days of effort. For more than a decade PS seasons have been built piece meal and with a new FRAM model and a decade of new information it may be possible to rebuild the recreational fisheries to more optimize the fisheries and the use of the most ESA limiting stocks impacts. Within the confines of the Boldt decision, ESA impacts, and commission policies a reasonable approach would be an Ad Hoc committee representing a diverse cross section of the recreational community and supporting industries to establish high priority fisheries and other priorities upon which to re-set our fishing seasons. The high priority fisheries would establish the baseline fisheries with additional fisheries added within the ESA constrains and other priorities. With hard work and some care it may be possible to increase the total number of Chinook landed while maintaining the economic value of lots of recreational man-days on the water.

I don't expect anyone would agree totally with any of the three options above but they do illustrate the kinds of choices that have to be made and the balancing needed between the desire to maximize the catch and being able to fish were and how we want. Relying on rod and reel fisheries and fishing in mixed stock areas to produce a significant portion of the non-treaty Chinook catch guarantees that the non-treaty will always fall below the tribal terminal area gill net fisheries.

Flame away!

Curt