Opinion: Skokomish Tribe dedicated to preserving salmon runs

Friday, September 2, 2011  

"The Skokomish Tribe would like to respond to "Protecting salmon: Tribe, others at odds over plan for part of Dabob Bay" which appeared in the Aug. 26, 2011 edition of the Kitsap Sun.

It is important to first understand how coho salmon are managed in Hood Canal. Since 2001, the Washington Treaty tribes and the State of Washington (the co-managers) have been managing the natural (wild) populations of coho according to a fisheries exploitation rate-based management regime. This is the same method used for other natural stocks produced in Washington and Southern British Columbia and is called for by both the Pacific Salmon Treaty (U.S. & Canada) and the Washington State/Tribal Comprehensive Coho Management Plan.

Quilcene Bay/Dabob Bay (Area 12A) coho are managed differently than the rest of Hood Canal. This is because there are two coho hatchery programs operating in this area: the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery on the Quilcene River and at the Skokomish Tribe's Quilcene Bay Coho Net Pens.

Both programs produce salmon for treaty tribal, non-Indian commercial and recreational harvest, and the co-managers have chosen to manage Area 12A for hatchery coho, not wild coho. The only management goal for coho in the fishing areas is to ensure that hatchery program needs are met. There is no escapement objective for wild coho in any of the streams that flow into Area 12A, including Tarboo Creek."

Get the Story:
Dave Herrera: Explaining Skokomish salmon protection in Dabob Bay (The Kitsap Sun 9/2)