To say there is a culture of secrecy in the Department of Fish and Wildlife is almost an understatement. There seems to be almost a policy in place that mandates keeping things from the stakeholders. We have been engaged in a year long fight against secrets in our fish management with the leadership of WDFW and to some degree with our Commission, who say they support transparency, but do little to act on their words. In our fight, we have reached out to several state legislators for help in ending this "culture of secrecy" that permeates the department. We also know that many of you have also contacted your representatives about this issue. It is frustrating indeed when, after multiple pleas for help we have received no significant help from them. Well, a recent article in the Kitsap Sun has exposed why! It seems the culture of secrecy that the WDFW seems to feel is standard operating procedure is supported and, dare we say, encouraged by the very legislators we have been asking to fix the problem! Here is the article. WARNING: Reading this will probably raise your blood pressure to a dangerous level with anger! http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/opinion/editorials/2018/02/27/stop-state-house-secrecy/377395002/