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July 17, 2000
Director: I would like to comment on the way the recent sockeye opening was handled. Overall, I was pleased to see the increase in communication regarding the status of the run prior to the opening, the prompt decision making to open and close the fishery and the visible enforcement on the part of all the agencies. That is a positive I hope you utilize to build on other fisheries which vary substantially from year to year. Please continue to utilize variable openings and closings and work to get more factual publicity with your news announcements, as newspapers often omit some of the rules associated with the openings. I would like to say that I was pleased with the open presence of WDFW agents onsite. I noticed boats getting checked when they caught fish and was surveyed once regarding the boat ramps. I also noticed Enforcement Officers present when the gillnet fishery was open. I would hope that if WDFW and the Muckleshoot Tribe continue to manage based upon the returns, open when available, that the enjoyment experienced by thousands would occur more often than once every 4 years. I believe that can only happen through increased emphasis on involvement of all to restore the streams, enforce the quotas and manage with open, clear communication. I would urge WDFW and the tribes to clearly work a PR campaign to point out the number of participants, and that it's in the best interest of all involved to work the habitat and fish management issues to have this fishery occur on a more frequent basis than every 4 years. Hey, what better time to get the community involved! Again, thanks to your staff and all involved for a job well done. J.B.
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