4 free views left!
Print This

Wash. phasing out gillnet fishing on the Columbia

Saturday, January 12, 2013

SEATTLE (AP) — The state Fish and Wildlife Commission has voted to phase out gillnet fishing on the main stem of the Columbia River, relegating the primary commercial fishing tool to tributaries and bays.

Under the new policy adopted Saturday, the use of gillnets by 2017 in non-tribal fisheries on the Columbia Basin below Bonneville Dam. The policy also includes commitments to increase the number of stocked fish in areas off the main Columbia River channel to offset reductions to commercial fishing opportunities.

In October, Oregon adopted similar rules.

Recreational fishers say gillnets are harmful to the recovery of endangered salmon. But commercial fishers say it'll be impossible for them to earn a living by fishing only in the limited areas where they'll be allowed to use gillnets.

» Recommend this story.

» Know more about this story? Tell us.

» Be the first to comment on this story  

Comments

Want to comment on this story? All Wenatchee World members are invited to comment on stories, by using the form below. Please know that we at wenatcheeworld.com hope our site is useful, entertaining and civil. So we'll delete comments that are obscene, abusive or way off topic. We appreciate it when readers use the "suggest removal" button to flag inappropriate comments. For more about interacting with the site, see our Use Policy.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment


MORE LIKE THIS

Wash. considers banning gillnets on Columbia River

Appeals court stays new OR gillnet fishing rules

Oregon bans gillnets on Columbia; Wash. vote nears

Oregon commission to vote on gillnet ban

Kitzhaber seeks peace in Columbia salmon wars


Advertisement


UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, June 19

WVC Hepcats Swing Dance Classes
Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 19

Live Music: Stephen & Sergio @ Icicle Brewing Company
Icicle Brewing Company, 7 p.m.

Thursday, June 20

BNI Better Business Boosters
Rivertop Bar & Grill, 201 N. Wenatchee Ave., 7:30 a.m.

Thursday, June 20

BNI High Noon Achievers
Red Lion Hotel, noon

Search events »

Submit your event »