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News
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GRC Reorganization and Training Program
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CCA Washington’s Government Relations Committee is formalizing its committee structure and developing a leadership training program for interested members. Our goal is to make it easier for CCA members to identify key areas of concern, form working groups with other members, and to take on roles within the GRC. We would like to increase participation in the GRC in order to have a greater impact on important issues. Without adequate people power we can not progress as rapidly as we would like. One way to help make sure your fisheries concerns are addressed is for you to step forward and become involved. We need committee members willing and able to contribute 10 or more hours per month toward committee goals and advocacy work. We especially need greater involvement of members from eastern Washington and those with writing, research and computer skills (Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Photoshop, etc.) and familiarity with online grassroots advocacy tools.
Chairman Ed Wickersham, pictured above, has established three geographic areas of focus for the GRC: Puget Sound, Lower Columbia River and Upper Columbia River & Coastal. Andrew Marks, GRC Vice Chair, will lead efforts in the Puget Sound. Harry Barber will coordinate all Lower Columbia River issues, and Ed Wickersham will lead committee work for Upper Columbia and Coastal issues.
As they meet with members as Chapter events, Bryan Irwin and Nello Picinich will be talking with and recruiting prospective GRC members and leaders. Our hope is to help talented and self-starting members to become involved in, and take ownership of important fisheries issues for CCA Washington, and also to learn from senior members as they grow within CCA. This is a huge opportunity for energetic members to get involved and make a difference.
The GRC will be conducting training sessions for interested members to help them understand the committee, become effective GRC members, and develop the skills necessary to effectively communicate and lead groups within the GRC.
For more information about the training sessions and helping in one of the three geographic areas, please call Bryan or Nello at 1-877-255-8772.
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Advocacy
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Selective Fishing: Astoria to Priest Rapids
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After years of advocacy spearheaded by CCA Washington, WDFW and ODFW have agreed to re-institute a mark selective recreational fishery for Columbia River summer Chinook this year. . . We commend this return to selective sportfishing for summer Chinook. The new mark selective rule will more than double the usual sportfishing season length from 21 days to 46 days. This substantial increase in recreational opportunity during prime fishing weather will fuel significant economic activity stretching from Priest Rapids Dam all the way to Astoria.
The decision also brings into sharp focus the dangers of the non-selective commercial gillnet fishery that continues to target these fish. This non-selective fishery for summer Chinook, conducted since 2006, inflicts serious damage not only on wild Columbia summer Chinook but five other salmon and steelhead stocks listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) also present during this period. This fishery inflicts significant damage on wild salmon populations and should not continue unless and until it can become fully mark selective.
A graph of the run timing can be viewed here.
An OpEd regarding CCA's comments about selective fishing in the summer Chinook fishery ran in the Sunday, May 16 edition of The Columbian. It can be read here.
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Request to NOAA: Nooksack Derelict Nets
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Last month’s issue of CCAconnect included a report about 62 derelict nets that had been identified in the Nooksack River. The article can be found here.
In an April 30 letter to NOAA Fisheries, CCA requested assistance in “resolving this serious conservation threat on the Nooksack River.” The letter also asked for help to prevent further loss of such gear, to require gear identification, and to hold offending parties responsible for lost gear.
CCA noted in the letter that “the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries do have authority to enforce the “take” prohibitions for species listed under the Endangered Species Act.”
To read the letter, click here.
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Elliott Bay & Green River Chinook Fisheries
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“I am sorry that you feel that we continue to be a problem during the North of Falcon process” stated Phil Hamilton, Muckleshoot Tribe, in an email to Tony Floor, Director of Fishing Affairs, Northwest Marine Trade Association. Phil Hamilton continued with an opinion alleging that the Muckleshoot Tribe’s position at North of Falcon was mischaracterized, and stated that such mischaracterization was “Bothersome.”
Tony Floor responded, stating two primary concerns of sport fishing representatives at the NOF meetings: (1) the aggregation (i.e., "integrated approach") of hatchery and wild spawners in managing fisheries and escapement on the Green River, which is inconsistent with the findings of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group and its designation as a Category 1 system by NOAA (2) the imbalance percentage, favoring the tribe, of tribal and non-tribal harvests of Green River Chinook. He continued, touching on the need for selective fishing reforms to better protect wild spawners, complement hatchery reform objectives and capitalize on efforts to recover wild populations through habitat restoration.
Tony Floor has given CCA permission to share this email exchange; to read it, click here.
CCA actively participates in the North of Falcon process, and expresses sincere thanks to Tony Floor and NMTA for standing up for selective fishing. The failure to implement selective fishing reforms on the Green River again this year serves as another reminder of the concerns CCA Washington has raised about the Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Management Plan. This 5-year plan was developed by WDFW and the Tribes and is currently being reviewed by NOAA.
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Letter: "WILD FISH DO EXIST"
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Capitol City chapter members recently discussed the question of whether or not wild salmon exist.
On April 23, a personal letter from Pete Bergman and Frank Haw (not from CCA) was sent to the editor of The Reel News commenting on this issue. In the letter, the authors present arguments supporting the existance of wild salmon, and supporting the necessity of selectively harvesting hatchery fish.
CCA thanks the authors for their contribution to this discussion, and for giving CCA permission to share their letter. To read it, click here.
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Chapter Notes
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CCA Welcomes North Olympic Peninsula
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On April 22nd CCA Washington held what turned out to be a chapter kick-off meeting in Sequim. CCA staff members, along with volunteers Mike Carter (Kitsap chapter) and Dale Scott (Lewis County chapter), spoke to approximately forty concerned citizens and sports fisherman. Energy and enthusiasm was high for those in attendance.
Within days of this meeting the official CCA paperwork was submitted and we are pleased to be adding the North Olympic Peninsula as Washington’s sixteenth chapter. This new chapter will be headed by president John Albiso.
While a number of individuals were instrumental in the formation of this chapter CCA Washington owes a special thank you to Becca Yucha who spent countless hours working with the CCA office and engaging the local community in CCA’s endeavors. We are also grateful to those who have stepped up to be on the leadership team. Anyone interested in learning more about this chapter can contact chapter president John Albiso directly at(360) 928-1073.
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Lewis County Engages Cowlitz Basin Issues
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The Lewis County Chapter has become involved with issues in the Cowlitz Basin. The WDFW is forming a Cowlitz River advisory board, and the chapter has submitted names of several members as candidates for that board.
Pat Frasier, WDFW Region 5, wrote a brief summary of the Cowlitz Settlement Agreement and an explanation about forming the advisory board. To read it, click here.
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North Sound: 2nd Youth Fly Tie Event
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On April 17th, 2010 the North Sound chapter of CCA Washington hosted its second youth fly tying event, generously hosted by John “Westy” Westerfield of Yeager’s Sporting Goods in Bellingham. With the Washington general lowland lake opener conveniently scheduled for the following Saturday, it was the perfect opportunity for local youth to tie their first Woolly Bugger or Carey Special in anticipation for the state’s biggest fishing weekend. We had roughly 35 kids, aged 3-12, attend over a 4 hour period, a few of whom begged mom and dad to pick up their first fly-tying kit.
One thing that is exciting about these youth events is the partnerships that we’ve developed with local business and other conservation groups. Yeager’s provided space and extensive advertising for the even and our upcoming CCA banquet. Fourth Corner Fly Fishers and CCA members Frank Koterba, Klaus Lohse, Jack Salstrom, Errol McWhirk, Ed Ruckey, Larry Irwin along with our Youth Activities Chair, Scott Willison provided tying instruction. Our local RFEG, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Liam Wood Fly Fishing School generously supplied fly tying kits and materials. Through these partnerships, kids got their first taste of what for some will become a life long passion and parents got to learn more about CCA’s important conservation measures throughout the Northwest.
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Miscellaneous
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Special Offer for CCA members
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PDY Systems, the makers of the Lift-n-Lok Tackle Box have supported many CCA banquets and are now offering a special deal on their tackle box to CCA members. A portion of each sale is donated to CCA.
The many features that make the Lift-n-Lok unique are too numerous to list. The best way to really get a feel for the features is to visit their website and watch the demonstration video. The no spill test is amazing!
http://www.pdysystems.com/fish_demo_club.php
The discount is $25 off with free shipping and is only available from May 25th to June 15th. To receive the discount, order on the website and entering promo code "ccawa1" at checkout. The Lift-N-Lok tackle box will ship UPS Ground within 48 hours. It comes in several colors and makes a great gift too.
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May 20, 2010
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Meeting Dates and Deadlines
WDFW Commission Meetings
June 4 &5 Spokane
August 6 & 7 Olympia
Conference Calls
June 18
July 2
July 16
Agenda and Updates here
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Banquet Schedule
October 2nd, Yakima (New Date)
September 25th, Capitol City
November 12th, Sno King
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Volunteers Needed!
The work of CCA is dependent upon volunteers. Please volunter to help. No experience is needed. To volunteer in any way, a little or a lot, go to our website here.
Thank you!
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Feedback and Comments
CCA Washington is interested in hearing from you. Visit our website here to submit comments and questions you may have. Thanks!
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