Recall, in our Oct 26th Meeting with the senior staff at WDFW, the Director said in essence that the Departments strategy in dealing with Tribal issues is: "Cooperate and wait." That it is the Departments belief that it is in the best interest of everyone, not to get into a conflict with the tribes, in hopes that eventually, it will foster enough good will that the tribes will return the good favor.

We agree that without REAL cooperations between us and our tribal co-managers our fisheries are doomed. It is also apparent that we have and will have differences on the way we go about saving our fish.

However, the overriding point is we both have a lot of things in common, like wanting more fish. I believe that WDFW has done more damage in creating animosity between the Tribes and the sport fishermen than it has done good. Especially with its insistence that Secrets are the best way to do business, and it's supporting and engaging in Secret Meetings! In our view this is not "Cooperate" this is enabling. Enabling a feeling of entitlement that the tribes are to be treated "special" to all other stakeholders.

We as a community, not us against them, need to work on trust, as difficult and uncomfortable as that is. It is the only way we can truly work in cooperation. WDFW Needs to stop lying and hiding and doing deeds in the dark. Everything the department does should be out in the light of day! The Commission needs to MANDATE to the department that all fisheries business be open and public no matter who is sitting at the other side of the table! THAT should be the departments "strategy" and is the ONLY one that will truly work!