In response to the Jan. 22 story, “Commercials unhappy with Columbia River reforms,” I offer some facts.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife records for a recent six-year period of nontribal commercial landings from the Columbia River provide specific information regarding that gillnet fishery. Only 154 separate gillnet licensees landed fish during that six-year period. During that period, only 11 gillnetters made more than $20,000 per year, while 116 made less than $10,000 each year. The total gross value of landings for all fishers for those six years was less than $5 million.
Compare that figure to the $7 million to $8 million in revenue and $30 million in net economic value generated annually by the Columbia River recreational fisheries. The overwhelming majority of the fish taken in gillnets are raised in hatcheries. This data confirms that Columbia River gillnetting is essentially a part-time activity with a small number of fishers truly dedicated to the endeavor. Worse, it is a publicly subsidized activity that is paid for by taxpayers, ratepayers and fishing license buyers, who facilitate this tiny group. It is not an industry, it is an entitlement program paid for by the rest of us, and the agency data clearly supports that.
Ed Wickersham
RIDGEFIELD
