On November 1, the Washington and Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commissions will be meeting jointly to re-consider the existing bi-state Columbia River Harvest Reforms. It appears that both state commissions are poised to undo current policy, resulting in renewed Columbia River mainstem gillnetting for spring and summer Chinook, increased gillnetting during the fall, and increasing the gillnet allocation, reducing sportfishing opportunity.
Because of the negative impacts to fishery resources and our industry, we need to oppose ANY change to the current policy.
It is important that you call and email your state representative and senator and cc members of the Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission with the following message. Tell your legislators that you need their help to protect jobs in their district and fishery resources. If you need it, you can look up your legislative district here, and their contact information (including staff) HERE. For emails, you can copy the Commission at commission@wdfw.wa.gov.
First, state who you are and who you represent. Identify your business and relevant information, including employees, locations, sales, etc. Clearly state your opposition to any effort by the WDFW Commission to undo the Columbia River fishery reforms.
Explain that the bi-state fishery reforms are working: improved conservation of wild salmon and steelhead, increased commercial gillnet harvests in off-channel fishing areas, and more certainty for recreational fisheries throughout the Columbia River basin.
Remind them that the world is focused on Washington state’s efforts to save the iconic Orca whales, which heavily rely on Columbia River Chinook salmon during the spring and summer months. What are the optics~~how do we explain that WDFW is working hard to restore the use of gillnets for spring and summer Chinook? More gillnetting flies in the face of the goals of the Orca task force and is tough to justify to the public that wants more protections for Orcas and salmon, not less!
In addition to the conservation concerns, restoring gillnetting in the mainstem Columbia River jeopardizes the fishing seasons of sport fishers and will trigger closures for the entire Columbia~closures that your business cannot afford! This costs Oregon and Washington millions of dollars in lost revenue because there are over 400,000 Columbia River fishers in both states that are denied access to the river and the associated revenue lost by unnecessary closures.
Ask your legislators to weigh in with WDFW and urge them to leave the reforms in place.