Recently WDFW released a video titled; Lifeblood.  It promotes cooperation in our efforts to save our salmon.

If you've not seen the short video, you can find it here: WDFW Video Lifeblood

One of the key speakers in this video is a Mr. Shawn Yanity, the Vice Chairmen of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Mr. Yanity speaks about how important it is to build the cooperation between Recreational Anglers, Farmers and the Tribes.

In light of Vice Chair Yanity's public statements on cooperation, we were encouraged to send him a letter, asking his assistance in removing the biggest barrier to true cooperation, the secret harvest negotiations.

We are all in agreement, cooperation MUST BE FOUNDED in TRUST. And keeping the HARVEST NEGOTIATIONS SECRET, IS A ROADBLOCK TO THAT TRUST.

Here is the letter we sent to Vice Chair Yanity:

Vice Chair Yanity,

As we watched the recent documentary, “The Lifeblood”, we were struck with how sincere it was in promoting cooperation.

We too have been advocating for cooperation in saving our salmon and for the need for all the people to come together and work for solutions.

We’ve spent many, many hours testifying to the WDFW Commission, both Directors Unsworth and Susewind and have even reached out to Chairperson Loomis about the need to foster cooperation between all the Co-managers.

Based on what we heard you say in the film, we’re sure you will agree that in order to have cooperation, there must first be a foundation of trust.  Trust built on confidence that all sides are willing to be open and transparent no matter how uncomfortable.  Anything less breeds distrust and suspicion and consequently is counter productive to cooperation.

Unfortunately, there have been a lot of misdeeds and unethical behavior in our histories.  To say there were many injustices done would be an understatement.  And it is also understandable that for some, these unfortunate dark stains have lingered and spoiled the hope for mutual trust.  We must not forget however, no matter what our differences, we can save the salmon and make a better life for all humans by working together.

As you said, cooperation is the key.  It is only through working together that there is hope.  However, there is an on-going issue that is standing in the way that we cannot ignore.  An obstacle that seems to have a rather simple solution, but to date has been left to fester and grow. The issue of prohibiting public oversight in the North of Falcon negotiations is creating that very obstacle.

Mr. Yanity, as the vice chair to the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, you are in a unique position to help remove this obstacle. 

We fully understand that these meetings have been labeled “Government to Government” and that there are discussions in those negotiations that may be uncomfortable. We are also very aware of the issues that occurred in the past, when observers were allowed in these meetings.  However, we think you will agree that if we continue to look at the past, we cannot build the future.

If we really hope for meaningful cooperation for the greater good, we must be willing to eliminate as many obstacles to trust as possible.

The recreational fishing community is as dedicated to conservation as any.  Therefore, if we could find ways to come together through a nexus of mutual trust, the good we could do would be exponential.

Truly, there are methods to open these meetings to the public without creating interference or undue burden.  Technology already exists and is used in the open meetings of our WDFW Commission. A live stream video, broadcast on the public network as they do for the Commission meetings might be a viable method for example.

Vice Chair, time is running out for our salmon and whales. Everyday we waste pointing fingers and blaming others is another day we have failed our responsibilities to our land and our children.

As we’ve explained, we brought this to the State. The leadership of WDFW has repeatedly told us that the decision to open these meetings rests in the Tribal Co-managers hands or in the courts.  They assure us that WDFW leadership wants to have full transparency, but the Co-managers have not agreed.

We’ve recently sent an open letter to our Commission members, asking them to reach out to Chair Loomis and to you, and again address the need for open and transparent management and the importance it has to trust in the co-management process.

Please, my concerns are to point out what has become a road block to trust, and I hope you understand that my intent is to ask for your help, and not engage in finger pointing.

Let’s work together to restore the trust. Please, contact the Commission Chair, Larry Carpenter and work towards the real cooperation you spoke about in the documentary.

With respect,

Washington Citizen Sportsmen

------END OF LETTER---

As of this writing, we have not heard a reply from NWIFC Vice Chair Yanity or from Commission Chair Carpenter