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News
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Reminder for Puget Sound Crabbers
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State fishing rules require that all sport crabbers with winter catch record cards submit catch reports for the winter season to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) by Feb. 1 – even if they did not catch any crab.
Please help us spread the word so we can keep the seasons we've worked hard to obtain, thanks!
File your Crab Report |
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Advocacy
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Legislative/Wildlife Account Raid Update
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The Legislature convened for the 2012 Regular Session on January 9, 2012. This is a 60-day session, although the Legislature could be in for an extended special session given the need to pass a supplemental budget that cuts at least $1.5 billion from the current two-year budget. CCA Washington's Olympia lobbyist is already busy promoting and monitoring some of our highest legislative priorities.
Wildlife Account "Fund Transfer": As a reminder, the Legislature did not adopt Governor Gregoire's proposal during December's special session to use $1.5 million in recreational license fee revenue to backfill state general fund cuts to salmon hatchery production that primarily benefits commercial fishing interests. The proposal is still alive in the regular session, however.
If you haven't already done so, please take the time to follow up with your legislators on the issue. Many of you received email responses from your legislators, some of which we believe lacked a thorough understanding of what was being proposed. If your legislator’s response indicated that the $1.5 million did not come from recreational users, you may want to respectfully respond with the following information outlining that the funds did come directly from recreational users. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Please forward any response you receive to bryan.irwin@ccapnw.org .
Derelict Gear Reporting: CCA continues to advocate the passage of legislation requiring mandatory reporting of derelict fishing gear, or "ghost nets." Ghost nets have killed hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates in Puget Sound and elsewhere. As you may recall, last year CCA worked with Senator Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) to introduce SB 5661, which would require commercial fishers to report derelict or lost fishing gear within 48 hours. That bill was passed by the Senate Natural Resources Committee, but did not pass the legislature before the end of the 2011 regular session.
Current state law merely "encourages" fishers to report lost gear and that hasn't worked. In fact, estimates from the Northwest Straits Initiative indicate that approximately 35 new unreported nets are lost annually. Last year, federal fisheries officials at NOAA issued a requirement for mandatory reporting of derelict fishing gear in Puget Sound within 24 hours. We believe this federal requirement and the continued loss of unreported derelict gear makes the passage of this legislation critical.
Capital Budget Funding for Hatcheries: CCA's Olympia lobbyist testified before the House Capital Budget Committee on January 10 in support of making needed investments to modernize and maintain our state's hatchery facilities. The testimony focused on the economic value of recreational fishing to the state's economy and the need to upgrade an aging hatchery system to better comply with recent scientific reviews. Capital Budget Committee Chairman Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish) has been a strong supporter of recreational fishing and making investments in the state hatcheries. We may see some hatchery investments included in an upcoming capital budget/infrastructure funding proposal. |
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CCA Team Urges Commission To Protect White Sturgeon
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The population of legal-sized sturgeon in the lower Columbia has declined dramatically. WDFW estimated a 34% drop from 2008 to 2010.
Harry Barber, Ed Wickersham, and Ginny Ross testified at the January 6th WDFW Commission meeting in favor of reducing the white sturgeon harvest rate in the lower Columbia. Their testimony can be read here.
In a document given to the Commission, Harry states A HARVEST RATE REDUCTION is the most important, immediate remedy to consider to facilitate recovery of the legal-sized population . . .” To read that document, click here.
The photo below shows some of the CCA testimony team.
From left to right, Bryan Irwin, Ginny Ross, Harry Barber and Lyle Cabe.
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Chapter Notes
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North Sound Chapter Helps Youth Tie Christmas Ornament Flies
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On December 2nd the North Sound Chapter was invited back for the second straight year to host a youth fly tying and ornament making workshop at the BP Cherry Point Refinery’s Children’s annual Christmas celebration.
Fellow CCA North Sound members from Fourth Corner Fly Fishers graciously volunteered their time and expertise to help over 160 kids create flies which were meticulously enclosed in clear glass ornaments. Tying equipment was purchased for this and future kid’s events courtesy of a grant provided by Puget Sound Energy in 2011 and fellow CCA member Lynn Bell. The event welcomed over 800 BP employees and their families.
Exuberant children, ages from 4 to 14, were all smiles in a flurry of bright feathers and furs as they patiently lined up to watch and learn about tying flies, fishing and sharing in the holiday spirit. In addition, while kids pinched barbs and wound hackles, their parents had an opportunity to learn more about CCA’s role in salmon, steelhead and marine conservation and the great strides we are making throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Marcus Schumacher, North Sound Chapter President, said: “ We appreciate the opportunity to teach children about conservation, fly tying and the share the spirit of giving during the holiday times. Thank you BP Cherry Point for giving CCA the chance to give back to the community through its future anglers.”
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Sea Tac Chapter Changes Meeting Format
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From Ed Fedder: “To reinvigorate our chapter, we've changed our meeting format. We now have two types of monthly meetings. General Membership Meetings on odd numbered months, and Board Meetings on even numbered months. For our general membership meetings, we have brief updates on chapter topics, CCA WA and GRC. We'll try to have one or two speakers, refreshments and a raffle. We're trying to make it more fun and draw more folks to our meetings. With membership meetings every other month it gives us more time to publicize and setup our meetings. Board meetings are just that, board meetings.”
At a recent chapter meeting, Mellissa Abbott won the raffle grand prize, a Temple Fork Outfitters steelhead rod, autographed by Gary Loomis who was the guest speaker that evening.
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January 19, 2012
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Meeting Dates and Deadlines
WDFW Commission Meetings
February 3-4, 2012; Olympia
March 9-10, 2012; Moses Lake
April 13-14, 2012; Olympia
June 1-2, 2012; Olympia
Agenda and Updates here
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Banquet Dates
Tri Cities
Friday, March 09, 2012
Shiloh Inn - Richland
Sea Tac
Saturday, March 10, 2012
IBEW Hall - Kent
Lewis County
Saturday, March 17, 2012
SW WA Fairgrounds - Chehalis
Twin Harbors
Friday, March 23, 2012
Aberdeen Eagles
Kitsap
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Kitsap Fairgrounds - Bremerton
North Sound
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Bellingham Golf and Country Club
North Snohomish
Friday, May 11, 2012
Holiday Inn - Everett
North Olympic Peninsula
Friday, June 08, 2012
TBD
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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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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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