Oregonian Article

Thoughts?

POS Clerk

Back to court we all go....the fish and the fishers. NMFS focusing the argument on recent huge hatchery runs was so very Machiavellian....salmon politics at its best! Basically there decision was a nondecision. This fisher wishes there was a middle ground but is worried now that point might be "ground zero!"

This is great news for recreational anglers! NMFS has agreed to continue the protection of wild fish while allowing fishing for hatchery fish through the flexibility in the ESA.

The Hogan decsion said the NMFS had to list both hatchery and wild fish or not list both hatchery and wild fish but they couldn't list one stock (the wild fish) and not list the hatchery stock. In their latest draft policy, NMFS will take the middle ground. They will list both hatchery and wild fish but allow limited harvest on those populations that have large hatchery runs. That makes sense.

But I find it ironic that recreational anglers do this everyday. That is, we target the hatchery fish and release the wild fish, while taking extra precautions not to harm those fish that are released. Perhaps NMFS took a clue from recreational anglers.

The fact that property rights groups, irrigation interests, power companies, the dredge/fill crowd, etc are hopping mad about this decision says alot. They got what they asked for, unfortunately for them, it wasn't what they wanted.

NMFS often takes some serious criticism on this BB for their incomprehensible policies. This time, they deserve better.

Before jumping to conclusions about the implications of this proposed policy or news articles reviewing same it would be wise to remember two things.

First and foremost - This is just a predecisional draft inviting comment from the co-managers (ie - Tribes, States, and the US Department of Justice) resulting in revision towards the goal of formulating an actual policy.

Quote:
"To assist in the development of this new policy, NOAA Fisheries is now sharing a "working draft" with key partners --- including tribal and state natural resource agencies in the region, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Although the list of recipients includes entities that may not have management authority for Pacific salmon and steelhead, NOAA Fisheries is interested in seeking advice from a broad set of co-managers with technical and policy expertise in fish and wildlife management issues. Obtaining such expert review is a crucial part of the policy development process."

Secondly - Newspapers seldom get their $hit straight.

If interested the draft is available at the following link:

Draft Hatchery Listing Policy

This is a Draft Predecisional ESA Document.
Please do not distribute, release or cite this document.
This is just a draft.

For a introduction and index see:

NOAA FISHERIES ASKS STATES AND TRIBES FOR COMMENTS