Back then, there was a conservation ethic.

Hoh v. Baldridge said that a preceding fishery can't create a conservation concern, and closure, for a Tribe. Hoh coho were taken in the ocean rec fisheries. Very small numbers but enough to "overfish" and then the Hoh was closed for conservation. When the court said you couldn't do that, WDF said "OK, we'll close the ocean". Feds and Tribes said "Don't do that, just share the impacts. Both sides overfish."

But, it is easier to manage when you have fish. And lots fewer humans.

But my point is that the agency was willing to communicate, unlike now.