The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation would like to call together a meeting of concerned parties to discuss the mis-management of the fisheries resources by the WDFW and QIN. Specifically we are concerned about over-fishing impacts on a fragile Spring chinook stock through bycatch during the 15 week 5 day a week Sturgeon gill-netting season currently in progress in Grays Harbor and the Chehalis River. While the WDFW has told us that QIN reports they will harvest less than 10 Spring Chinook as incidental catch during their Sturgeon fishery, they have refused to supply any data that would support such a statement. In talks with our Tribal fishermen and they have said that 8.5"-9.5" mesh when hung properly will still catch many especially the largest Spring Chinook. They have said that if a fisherman desires to catch Spring Chinook with that size of mesh it can be hung in a way that it will easily harvest many Spring Chinook. This fishery is very concerning to us as this run of Spring Chinook is currently not supplemented by a hatchery and is dependant on all the predicted fish making it to the spawning grounds to spawn.

We would like any concerned parties such as the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force, WestPort Charterboat, Commercial and Sportfishing groups, and concerned Citizens to contact Andy Olson of the Chehalis Tribes fisheries to discuss an invitation. This meeting will be through invitation only and you must contact Aolson@chehalistribe.org for an invitation. We will be discussing strategies to deal with Chehalis River fisheries management issues focusing on the mis-management by WDFW and QIN. If you are unable to email you can call 360-273-5911 and ask for Andy Olson Fisheries Biologist.

Francis, whats going on here? Any input Doc?

Steve

The same thread is on the main board, he's posting there.