Washington appeals court dismisses challenge by Columbia gillnetters

OLYMPIA — The Washington Court of Appeals has dismissed a challenge by commercial fishing interests to keep gillnets in the lower Columbia River.

The appellate court affirmed a dismissal by the Thurston County District Court of a lawsuit challenging Washington’s policy on gillnets, adopted by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission in January 2013.

The policy removes non-Indian gillnets from the main stem of the lower Columbia River and restricts them to off-channel areas, such as Deep River and Youngs Bay.

The policy also anticipates use of live-release commercial fishing gears for the main stem of the Columbia.

Gillnet interests have sought to overturn the policy since its adoption in both Washington and Oregon.

Initiated by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, the policy prioritizes sport fishing in the main stem of the Columbia and eliminates non-tribal gillnets after a transition period ending in 2017.

A similar challenge to the gillnet rules adopted by Oregon is awaiting a decision from the Oregon Court of Appeals.