I attended the Rockfish meeting in Mill Creek this evening and was thrilled to hear our (anglers) concerns, responses, and rebuttles regarding this issue when given the chance to after the WDFW presented thier info. This issue symbolizes much more then just protecting our Rockfish...it also affects us (anglers) and our fishing seasons, fishing depths, and fishing areas in puget sound for anything and everything that we fish for in the sound...including salmon. I generated a lot of respect toward the people that layed their balls on the table and personally spoke. Many of the people (some from the CCA, some from the PSA, and some privately) that spoke made extremely valid points and I felt we (anglers) were very well represented during this meeting. Thank you to any PP members that were there.

I personally am just beginning to get involved and cannot claim that I am a regular about attending these WDFW meetings, CCA meetings, and any other fishing related meetings that impact us anglers. I've been to only ONE CCA meeting so far...not very impressive I know...I am a member of CCA and have donated several fishing trips to the CCA to support them. This was my FIRST (again, not impressive) WDFW meeting that I have ever attended in my life. My point of this post is to announce that at both meetings there were free empty seats awaiting the asses of us anglers. I plan on making it to future meetings of these types and I'd like to encourage others to fill these free empty seats...we are in need of a sell out crowd to win the game.

Room was only 70% full. Had room for another 25 chairs at least.

Some interesting info. The big rockfish that people catch are anywhere from 50 to over 100 years old. They dont even spawn till they hit about 20-25 years. May only spawn successfully once in Ten years.

(Good reason not to be a pisces)


Amazing how many guys drove up from South king county.

Slowleak asked for more meetings up north, for you guys in Snohomish and skagit country.

The only species NOAA determined to be "Endangered" under the Endangered Species Act was Bocaccio with two others found threatened.

The following regarding Bocaccio is from NOAA's preliminary draft findings but since it is background data rather than analysis (conjecture) I'd guess it is unchanged in the final:

In northern and central Californian waters age at first maturity is three years for both males and females, although males (32 cm) are somewhat smaller than females (36 cm). Fifty percent of males are mature by age three (42 cm), and all are mature by seven years (55 cm). Fifty percent of females are mature by their fourth year (48 cm), and all are mature by eight years of age (60 cm) (Wyllie Echeverria 1987). Off of southern California 50% of males are mature at 35 cm and all are reproductive at 42 cm. Fifty percent of females are reproductive at 36 cm and all are mature at 44 cm. Off Oregon bocaccio mature at larger sizes with females beginning to mature at 54 cm and all mature by 61 cm (Love et al. 2002). There is some evidence that fish may have begun to mature at earlier ages as population size had declined dramatically (MacCall 2002).


The statements about when "they" mature sexually may have been accurate for one species but certainly not for the one NOAA declared Endangered.

Also the following about reproduction:

Demographically, this species demonstrates some of the highest recruitment variability among rockfish species, with many years of failed recruitment being the norm (Tolimieri and Levin 2005). High fecundity and episodic recruitment events, largely correlated with environmental conditions, mean that bocaccio populations do not follow consistent growth trajectories. Sporadic recruitment drives population structure.


Insofar as this species is the most critical I suspect that it will be the driving force even though the BRT speculated that it is no longer to be found in Puget Sound.

Anyway, it grows fairly fast and matures sexually fairly quickly but has a poor record of successful spawning due to environmental conditions.

(Actually, not so bad - kind of like post-vas; lots of activity but little or no chance of off-spring)

Point here is to be sure that the facts they present are really pertinent to the problem and proposed actions. I will have my turn in Olympia.

The plan didn't seem to have a lot of support tonight. It surprises me that something that obviously had so much time put into it didn't hold up well at all.
It seems a lot could be done before shutting down such a large amount of fishing areas for so little in return.The old swatting at flies while the alligators are chewing on yourazz analogy seems to apply ....

Thats for sure. They werent shy about promoting MPA

They balme sport fishing, but the heaviest take was from ghost nets.

they didnt even mention seals.

some report says Puget sound is able to handle 7000 seals and we have 14000 seals.

HALF THE GILLNETS WERE TRIBAL. Is that in the treaty?

Its going to take all of 90 days to get this worked out and thats if they roll over for every amendment.

Empty seats at the WDFW meetings in Mill Creek is not surprising. I've been to many over the tears and it's always the same people carrying the water for the different issues.

I too was there. I did not speak, because my reputation is for making/asking what my associates think are incongruous statements and inane questions. They just do not understand the art of interrogation , but that's okay, because just having my body there helps the cause. If the rest of you folks would show up it sure would help the angler’s cause. Us old guys are about to leave. It is up to you younger guys to get involved or you won’t be angling for much longer. You’ll be able to sit on the piers, peering out over vast Marine Protected Areas.

Let's start showing up and making a name for our community then. Try and make the time in your day to attend these, if nothing else you will surely learn something which is half the fun of going anyway.

I wasn't going to ask question or make points but then during the presentation there were several things that I just couldn't let lay.

Thanks to all those that went to the meeting... remember it is the future of OUR fishing (and not just Rockfish - MPA's) that is at risk... speak up or it will get worse.

Shawn

At the next meeting...it would send positive messages to the state if we all showed up in that WDFW room and literally filled the place, standing room only, more people then the fire codes can handle. I'd like to see that soon.

One of the items brought up at the meeting was seals/sea lions and their out of balance population which contribute to their over predations on the rockfish.
More emphasis must be put on limiting these pesky predacious pinnipeds.

Kaitlyn and I have both cleared our schedules for the Nov 4th meeting in Olympia.

Admittedly we have some extremely tight schedules over the coming weeks and I darn sure don't have the time to review the 105-page document before the 4th. If someone would could bring me up to speed rather quickly it would be greatly appreciated. I have read a little of the document and bits and pieces on PP, but I need some good details.

Please feel free to call me so I can put together some notes.

John Abbott
(253) 509-0316

Downrigging -
If one wants to provide more indepth comments (assume that they are not all ready well verse in rockfish matters) in addition to the 100 plus page DEIS the "Biology and Assessment of Rockfishes in Puget Sound" should also be on your reading list (more than 150 additional pages).

The later report provides more of the data and criteria that much of what is presented in the DEIS regarding the various rockfish, their biology, management, etc. After a quick skim of that document earlier in the week I'm now slowly working my way through it a second time. Can be heavy going.

Tight lines
Curt

I was not able to attend due to a personal issue and I would like to thank everyone that was there. It really is too bad that of the 700,000 plus license holders in the state so few get involved.
Kudos to those everywhere in Washington and the PNW that go above and beyond.


Fishy

For all the people that care about our future regarding fishing, I challenge you to gather up as many people as you know that like to fish and bring them to these meetings. There were some pist off people there last night who made some very intelligent statements regarding this issue and it's time the rest of us start getting pissed as well. I could sense the fear that was instilled into the biologists that were listening, they will listen, and they will help us make the changes necessary if we cram it down their throats.