FEATURED ACTION: 
WSC Position on Wild Steelhead Harvest
Throughout the southern half of their range, wild steelhead have experienced tremendous declines during the last century and a half. While many factors have contributed to their decline, overharvest in sport and commercial fisheries has been ubiquitous, and today most populations are depressed below 10% of their historic abundance. During…
Key Issue: Steelhead Harvest
Recommended Reading: Six books about wild steelhead management in Pacific Northwest
We recommend the following six books to help you get started in understanding the plight of wild steelhead and salmon in the Pacific Northwest and the complicated nature of their management.
Interim Agreement Protects Wild Elwha Steelhead From Hatchery Release
Non-native hatchery steelhead will not be released into the Elwha River and its tributaries this year, say four conservation groups that earlier this month filed suit against federal agencies and officials of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (in their official capacities) for releases of hatchery fish into the Elwha.
WSC Efforts Secure Important Protection for Early Winter Steelhead Runs on the Olympic Peninsula
During the WDFW Major Regulation Cycle of 2009, the WSC proposed a harvest closure of wild steelhead during the early winter months (December, January and half of February) that allowed fishing to continue by catch and release. That proposal was adopted by the WDFW Commission and became a formal regulation last year. The following is a rewrite of the justification the WSC provided WDFW to justify this new regulation.
Tell WDFW and Legislators to Implement a Management Plan with the Tribes
WDFW currently fails to complete written management plans with the tribal comanagers before steelhead angling begins. When this happens, and a particular steelhead run is projected to be below the escapement goal, the tribes often fish directly for wild steelhead when there is no harvestable surplus. Take action today; tell WDFW to implement a management plan with the tribes before opening any river system to steelhead fishing.
WDFW 2012-2013 Rule Change Cycle: Tell WDFW to re-evaluate escapement data
The WSC supports river closures for wild steelhead fisheries when the runs are showing a decline and have not made their escapement goals over time. However, we have not found any information that supports the escapement goals and early closures of the Willapa Bay rivers.
WSC Pushes for Barbless Hooks on the Lower Columbia
The WSC was concerned by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife going against the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s policy to make the Columbia River barbless hook only to decrease mortality on ESA listed species. The WSC reminded ODFW that this regulation was aimed at benefitting the 12 ESA listed Salmonid species inhabiting the Columbia river.
