FleaFlicker -- my kind of a-ha moment with this tool is trying what you're suggesting -- which is "letting more wild fish spawn" and seeing that it doesn't really do anything. That's, to me, the point of all this. The gravel is effectively incapable of doing anything with those spawners. The escapement is (at least apparently) directly linked with habitat carrying capacity. You can increase escapement by cutting fishing, but not in a way that leads to recovery. You just get more fish escaping and not finding good habitat for their redd.
I agree that cutting sport fishing in Puget Sound won't save $hit. I have thoroughly enjoyed the handful of trips I've taken in Puget Sound, and I support you guys keeping whatever opportunity you can. Fantastic place to be on the water.
That said, the problem I see with the (neat, if depressing) model is that (through no fault of its own) it includes ZERO data from multi-year periods of INTENTIONAL escapement over MSY. That, in my humble opinion, is at least a significant part of why it paints such a bleak picture.
Ask yourself if current escapement goals will EVER, even in Garden of Eden habitat, produce anything remotely resemblimg a "recovered run." I think the only logical (or perhaps even sane) answer to that question should be a resounding "No." That's my point. Unless the ocean fisheries reduce their level of impact, we'll only enjoy good fishing inside when the forecasts are underestimated. Same as it ever was....
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