[env-trinity] Times-Standard Editorial- Fishermen should remain tight on the Klamath

[Tom Stokely]

Eureka Times-Standard 
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127~2896~2719111,00.html# 
Fishermen should remain tight on the Klamath 

Friday, February 18, 2005 - 

The Times-Standard 

There was a time not so long ago when the various fishers of salmon on the Klamath battled 
fiercely for their share. Thankfully, after years of work on everyone's part, commercial, sport 
and tribal fishermen enjoy near-complete peace over the allocation of the precious resource. 

Especially heartening has been the cooperation between the groups in some of the most 
contentious years -- and certainly during the horrific 2002 adult fish kill. 

For the most part, fishing has been decent for several years. But indications are that the 
2005 salmon season might not be too hot. It appears that no matter how the limited number 
of fish are parceled out, someone, maybe everyone, is going to lose a little. 

Next week's Klamath Fishery Management Council meeting will bear out recommendations 
for fish managers who will set seasons, bag limits and quotas. From the looks of it, drafting 
those recommendations won't be easy. Some heated discussion is anticipated. 

That's OK. People are passionate about salmon. 

But it should be remembered that the key issues that profoundly affect the health of Klamath 
salmon stocks today -- the river's dams, water quality and quantity and sediment problems -- 
need everybody's attention. While once that might have been blamed on over fishing, it's not 
possible to make that case today. 

As one fisherman said, "Fighting over the last fish is not a good long-term strategy." 

That's most certainly true. Fishermen and American Indians don't appear to be in the graces 
of the current federal administration, so it's more important than ever to present a united 
front on these issues. The problem is not "the other guy got all the fish," the problem is there 
aren't consistently enough fish. 

Those who fish the Klamath and the ocean that supports its fish would do well to come to the 
council meeting ready to make their case for salmon allocation, but come willing to accept 
some sacrifice, too -- in the name of unity. 
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