WDFW seeks comments / PS Rockfish Plan

[Tower Todd]

Full Information here:
Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

WDFW seeks public comments on

Puget Sound rockfish conservation plan

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is accepting public comment through Nov. 19 on a new draft conservation plan for rockfish in Puget Sound and has scheduled four meetings to discuss the plan with the public.
The draft conservation plan is the preferred alternative among several presented in a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which is required by the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
The DEIS and draft conservation plan are available on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/management/rockfish/ . Those who would like a copy of the plan on a compact disc or in print can call (360) 902-2844.
The draft conservation plan provides the framework for new strategies and actions in areas including fisheries, monitoring and education to conserve and protect rockfish populations in Puget Sound. Three species of rockfish in Puget Sound – bocaccio, yelloweye and canary rockfish – currently are being considered for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Comments can be submitted by email to SEPAdesk2@dfw.wa.gov , by FAX to (360) 902-2946, or by U.S. Mail to: WDFW SEPA Desk, 600 Capitol Way N. Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

In addition, people can submit comments, as well as discuss the draft plan with WDFW staff, during public meetings scheduled for:

• Oct. 29 – From 7-9 p.m. in Mill Creek at WDFW’s Mill Creek office, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd.
• Nov. 2 – From noon-2 p.m. in Friday Harbor in the Commons Room at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor laboratory, 620 University Road.
• Nov. 4 – From 7-9 p.m. in Olympia in room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E.

Nov. 6 – From 4-6 p.m. in Port Townsend in the Raven Room at Skookum Inc., 385 Benedict St.

[Boots]

I was at a meeting Wednesday night, where Rob Tobeck, ya a former hawk, made a presentation to the PSA chapter now meeting in Kent. In a word. They have declared war of sportfishing.

He found many pages of language that limit fishing and could eliminate salmon fishing in parts of areas 6-13 by introducing Marine Protection Areas.

CCA members and the public showed up at the meetings for the MPA along San Juan Island. If they had not, that area would be open to commercial harvest and close to all other boat traffic including kayak. They didnt have a scientific reason to close it. Orcas can get caught in commercial nets, DUH! Its no more than a land grab.

The rockfish plan will not allow retention, fishing below 120 feet, no hatchery introduction, no artificial reefs. In case you had not heard, CCA is working on a program with NOAA and all the other pertinent depts and colleges to set up twelve research artficial reefs for six years and then open it to rec fishing.

Flat out, if you dont get to a meeting next week and then follow up with letters,more specifics are available, now or very soon, you will not only loose much of areas 6-13 to bottom fish, you could lose salmon fishing. The reports were late and they are giving US one month to respond. DONT STAY HOME

You may find specifics on the outdoorline radio show website. The Outdoor Line | 710AM ESPN Seattle | Radio Show

Here is more information that was publicized


http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/rockfish/roc...gy_sep2809.pdf

http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetin...greensheet.pdf

[fishrlady]

Hi haven't made my comments yet but will and here's where I'm going: I think while ling season is open we're going to have rockfish fatalities. Can't help it. So I'll ask for a one rockfish limit during ling season only and close rockfish the rest of the year.

I don't care about the divers slot limit matching line and hookers It was pointed out to me the divers would have a hard time messuring lings before shooting and it's hard to accurately guess the length underwater.

I don't want the divers to have a season same as us because of equipment conflicts. We can't fish the lings spots at all if a diver is in the water there.

Just say no: No 120 depth limit, no matching slot for divers, no divers at same time as sporties, no on yr round rf closure...keep one per day during ling season.

and...I wish they'd clarify species better. By their definition, what is a halibut (bottom fish?), green ling, cabezon, smelt

You may wonder why I'm against the 120 depth. Near the San Juan Islands, most terrain is straight up and down. We're deeper than 120 quick and most of the time. Only a few places with less depth and too many fishers/divers.

Why not let the divers season be split before and after the line and hook season or let the divers choose what they want, before or after our season. I've heard some say they'd like the warmer water after our season.

[Plus1]

I read the bottom-fish draft and it is headed in the same direction as So. California MPAs.

Don't believe me, read this LA Times article for yourself;

"The law was passed after experts said catches of some species, including cod and rockfish, had fallen by as much as 95% in recent decades. Regulations limiting the number of fish that can be caught have failed to stave off the decline. Marine scientists fear it could lead to a collapse of marine life."

Need to understand how the Washington fish populations are measured, monitored, and make sure data is verified to be correct. We wouldn't want WDFG to be using erroneous data, leading to significant closures in Washington state - just like what is happening in Californa.

Planning to be at Mill Creek next week.

__________________________________________________ ___________
Everywhere that I fished and dove in So Cal for ~ 12 years is on the MPA map. Let me help put this into perspective for Washington State Fishermen;

Imagine all of the fishing areas in Washington State are placed into a no-go or no-fishing zone, represented by all of the Washington fishing maps ever published. Public, Govt, and Environmental perception is promoted that fishermen create dead-zones in the ocean and are totally incompatible with any marine life.

Fishermen get to spend the next 2 years fighting the Govt and WELL funded Eco-terrorists to try and retain ability to fish a portion of Possesion Bar, Jeff Head, and small area of Mid Channel bank. Every fishing area from Columbia River around the coastline to Olympia is closed to fishermen.

This is the nightmare going on in California and being brought into Washington State.

[Plus1]

As predicted, the MPA steam roller is here in Washington and it is following the time proven strategy of take, hold, and expand.

The following perspective from Northern California resident (or should we say victim) reveals the true nature of this beast.

We have everything to lose... any toe-hold will be the beginning of the end.

*******************link to article************************

The RFA, Ocean Protection Coalition and other conservation groups have asked for a suspension of the MLPA process, due to lack of dedicated funding, numerous conflicts of interests by MLPA decision makers and the lack of clarity about what type of activities are allowed in reserves. This tragic incident only highlights the urgent need to suspend the corrupt and out-of-control MLPA corporate greenwashing process that is opposed by the vast majority of North Coast residents.

“How many blue whales must be killed in the name of so-called ‘ocean protection,’” asked Martin. “How many of these beautiful and magnificent animals must be sacrificed at the altar of corporate-funded marine 'protection'?”

Martin emphasized, “The whale is a metaphor for North Coast communities who have been run over by NOAA, an agency on auto pilot. The Department of Fish and Game is riding their coattails using this habitat data in the MLPA process.”

Among the communities of the North Coast dramatically impacted by the corrupt MLPA process is the Kashia Pomo Tribe, who have sustainably harvested seaweed, mussels and abalone off Stewarts Point for centuries. However, the California Fish and Game Commission in August, under orders from Governor Arnold Schwarzeneger, banned the Kashia Tribe, seaweed harvesters, fishermen and abalone divers from their traditional harvesting areas in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

As Lester Pinola, past chairman of the Kashia Rancheria, said in a public hearing prior to the Commission August 5 vote, “What you are doing to us is taking the food out of our mouths. When the first settlers came to the coast, they didn’t how to feed themselves. Our people showed them how to eat out of the ocean. In my opinion, this was a big mistake.”

Everybody who cares about the health of our oceans and coastal communities should support a full, independent and impartial investigation of the killing of "Jane " the whale by a NOAA contract boat. At the same time, the MLPA process, rife with conflict of interests, mission creep and corruption of the democratic process, should be immediately suspended.

[fishnazzi]

These numbers have not been varified but I'm told these are the numbers going around. 21,000 rf caught in Sound mostly by guys fishing for salmon...........................................g hostnets kill 61,000 a year








When are we going to be mad enough????

[Plus1]

Another well-used board (PP) pontificates on the content of the Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan (PSRCP) and formidable measures to save the missing fish.

LETS NOT RUSH TO CONCLUSIONS !!!
(zero)

RANT ON:
For starters, much of the data presented in the PSRCP is not fact and should not be taken as such. Cursory review of a single reference cited in the PSRCP painted a much different picture for me. The draft PSRCP has 'cherry picked' data from various references and presented it in a manner to support their (questionable) premise;

• rockfish are endangered
• recreational fishermen are largely to blame
• it is imperative that Washington State close down recreational fishing

In doing so, the draft PSRCP has totally ignored the original authors cautions on use of the data for drawing reasonable conclusions.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Where to begin... may as well start at the bottom of the Puget Sound since we all may end up there blowing bubbles if the MPAs move in.

EXAMINE - ROCKFISH ARE ENDANGERED
PSRCP
page 26 Table 7 identifies that Yelloweye Rockfish and Canary rockfish are depleted in the Puget Sound. (please don't start blow bubbles just yet, I havent had time to look into the quilback data)

Page 24 identifies that this data is from the Palsson et al 2009

Palsson et al 2009 (craftilly hidden on the web and difficult to find)
Page 6-12 "For yelloweye and canary rockfishes in Puget Sound, stock status was determined by using the results of coastal stock assessments."

Puget Sound is not the same habitat and fishery as Costal waters. Why is this considered an accurate estimate ?

Page 6-1 "Since recreational catch estimates were incomplete between 1994 and 2003, we cannot properly estimate .... stock size, ...."

Page 6-2 "However, (BRT in 2008 and 2009) citing decreasing frequencies in recreational fisheries, overall declining population indices, and other factors, the BRT found that bocaccio was an Endangered species, and that canary and yelloweye rockfishes were Threatened with extinction in the near future."

Maybe we didn't catch any canary or yelloweye because it was illegal to do so. They may be extinct on the boat ramp - but we know where they are hiding.

Something smells fishy around here, lets come up to the surface for some fresh air...

EXAMINE - RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN ARE TO BLAME
PSRCP
Page 20 through 22 show bar charts identifying that recreational fishermen killed far more rockfish than commercal fishermen between 1970 and 1992, the charts identify that this data is also from the Palsson et al 2009

Palsson et al 2009
Page 6-1 "Since recreational catch estimates were incomplete between 1994 and 2003, we cannot properly estimate fishing mortality rates"

What the heck, no data before 1994 ? Tell us, how did WDFW reach back into the abyss of time to make these charts ???

Page 5-3 "Until 2004, bottomfish estimates from the WDFW recreational survey have depended upon open salmon fisheries and salmon catch record cards"

HUH ? I thought salmon catch record cards reported salmon catch.... don't recall ever filling out a rockfish record on the salmon card... Strange science?

Page 5-4 "The primary survey of the recreational fishery in Puget Sound has been conducted by WDFW between 1970 and 2003. WDFW estimated the recreational catch of bottomfish by boat-based anglers through a combination of a system of required catch records from salmon anglers and a dockside creel survey of hook-and-line anglers (Palsson 1988, Conrad and Alexandersdottir 1993). When anglers harvest salmon in Puget Sound, they must record their harvest on a catch record card that is legally required to be returned to WDFW at the end of the year (note, harvests in this report are reported on an January to December basis). The salmon harvest is estimated by a subsample of the returned cards that are then used as a scaling factor for harvest information obtained from the creel survey. The corresponding creel survey is conducted at boat ramps, marinas and other public access points with sampling effort apportioned haphazardly to match the expected fishing effort among access points. Although exact computational methods changed after 1986, the creel survey is used to estimate the number of salmon caught per boat or fishing trip for each catch record area and month combination. This catch rate is then divided into the corresponding salmon catch to estimate the number of trips for the month and area. The bottomfish catch is estimated from this system by determining the catch per trip of bottomfish and multiplying by the number of trips for the month and area (Palsson 1988). The WDFW recreational catch estimates are made in terms of numbers of fish. The weight of the sport catch is approximated by averaging the pounds per rockfish from other surveys and data sources."

I simply do not recall bottom-fish ramp surveys between 1970 and 1992 and wondering how WDFW determined the catch per trip for bottomfish ? OK, I will give WDFW credit for creative use of (un)available data. Butit is truly disingenuous for PSRCP to present the charts as accurate information and in a manner that leads to a conclusion that recreational fishermen are to blame for demise of rockfish...

EXAMINE - IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WASHINGTON STATE CLOSE DOWN RECREATIONAL FISHING

I challenge NOAA and WDFW to come out in writing and tell me that MPA closures and fishing bans, like what happened in California, won't happen in Washington State. Otherwise, looks to me that the war on fishermen has expanded from southern border with Mexico to the northern border with Canada.

[fishnazzi]

Gary,
These numbers are supposed to have come from the WDFG. Sorry to say it guys but the fish checkers are not our friends. Remember that any information you give them is voluntary. How many shakers did you C/R....none. Did you catch any RF or flatfish.........no. If the man with the BADGE wants to check you the answer is obvious let him/her. Just remember that fish checkers are voluntary that is why they always ask "can I look at your fish" "can I take the head off your fish" I'm sorry but more often then not my response is always we caught nothing...........fished for an hour.

[Plus1]

Thanks Troy, I have provided similar replies to the fish checkers, although I always cooperate with them on the salmon I bring to the ramp. I understand the salmon census helps us in the North of Falcon process.

Interesting how mad some of those guys get !

And some of the idiots that bring in blackmouth and try to tell the checkers it is a pink...

[fishnazzi]

Hopefully we can help educate thems that think BM are pink(they are brown)

[Plus1]

I think WDFG may have underestimated the number of rockfish killed by derelict nets.

Crunching the numbers from the (2009) Palsson report;
3,900 derelict nets in Puget Sound kill 61,000 rockfish per year
This says, on average each derelict net kills one rockfish every 23 days.

1 rockfish every 23 days seems to be a low number....

If a the average derelict net kills one rockfish every 2.3 days, then the 3,900 derelict nets in Puget Sound kill approximately 610,000 rockfish every year.

I am not sure what the correct average is, but I honestly believe that derelict nets may be the #1 killer of rockfish in Puget Sound.

WDFW is requested to update the derelict net fish-kill with recent data collected from 2009 derelict net removal.

[Ducttape]

You tube video from 2006. Hardly makes me think that over harvest is the problem here...

YouTube - Underwater video of low dissolved oxygen event in Hood Canal