Having the rec fishery go to C&R might not have saved any fish at all. First, the C&R fishery would/should have been structured to encounter enough fish to cover the share. So, that number dies. IF the modeled kill was lower the Tribes could/would claim foregone opportunity and those fish would die.

Going to C&R would have sent the message that conservation was the most important factor. I agree with Doc that Forks made a decision, in the face of good science, that killing those fish was the most important factor. They get to live with that decision.

But, how many of the folks who made that decision are still in office in Forks? How many have to deal with the fallout?