Stand Up Again For Wild Steelhead

Here's another opportunity to let your voice ring out in support of wild fish management and to make sure public officials know it's time to continue to reduce our dependence on the hatchery teet.


The Washington State Senate Natural Resources & Parks Committee will hold a hearing on July 29, 2014 at 10:00AM to discuss the recent Puget Sound steelhead hatchery litigation and settlement between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC).

The hearing was called by the committee chair, Senator Kirk Pearson (R – Monroe) and will include presentations from WDFW, WFC, Puget Sound Tribes, NOAA Fisheries, recreational fishers, and fishing businesses. Please take a moment to tell the Committee that you support rivers managed for wild fish, not hatchery fish, and the improved sport fishing opportunity.

If you live in the area and can attend, here's the info

When: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 10:00 am

Where: Senate Hearing Rm 1

J.A. Cherberg Building

304 15th Ave SW

Olympia, WA 98501

Cant attend, then send your feelings via email by clicking HERE

Wild steelhead advocates will be meeting up after the hearing at the Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia (515 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501) so come unwind with some food, drinks and like-minded people post-hearing.

The Wild Fish Conservancy office will be coordinating ride sharing, so if you need a ride or can provide space in your vehicle, please contact their office at 425-788-1167.

Also, get more information at The Wild Steelhead Coalition web site

This ongoing battle seems like it's going to heat up again.  Hopefully science based policy will continue to prevail.  

The last round of conflict in the hatchery vs wild groups, in this hacks opinion, got way way way too personal.  I think the middle ground is that we all want fishing opportunity.  We all want the ability to take our children out and have them experience what we love so much

But while we continue to argue,  the trend line continues to go lower.  Become an advocate for the sport and fish you love and get involved...someway, somehow.