Re: New saltwater fishing regulations?
I applaud efforts to scientifically manage and maintain fish populations, and any and all regulation that requires. As long as it is done with proper science, properly funded, behind it.<br /><br />Some of my favorite areas of puget sound when I was a kid, for example, are completely devoid of fish now, and there has never been a commercial season on some of these.<br /><br />Other areas were completely stripped of fish by out of control commercial fishing--I remember a spot on the west side of Whidbey Island where commercial fishermen set gill nets that were tied to the shoreline, running perpendicular to the beach out a half mile. It completely eliminated the salmon run on the west side of the island. The fishermen argued that there was lots of room for the salmon to escape the nets, but unfortunately the salmon follow the coastline, and were not smart enough to know they should go where they have gone before...in order to avoid the nets.<br /><br />Anyway, good scientifc regulation is critical, IMO.