IF YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF WDFW NO LONGER USING THE NO FISHING FROM A FLOATING DEVICE AS A CONSERVATION TOOL PLEASE SIGN BELOW

BE AWARE:  ALL DONATIONS GO TO CHANGE.ORG, NOT THE STEELHEAD WORKGROUP!

Thanks for taking the time to read this petition.

On January 12th 2021, a panel known as the "Steelhead work group" presented arguments to the Washington Legislature pertaining to the ongoing management decisions by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for Washington coast steelhead fishing.  Presenters from both for and against the "no fishing from floating devices", gave testimonies where it became clear that the WDFW decision making process focused on a small group of individuals siding with the state agreeing with the closure.  The WDFW claimed that they received overwhelming support for the restrictions but we believe that the WDFW should have taken into account the vast MAJORITY of anglers that do not side with that statement and this petition is a great tool to show just that.  

This petition is by no means brushing off the need for conservation measures to protect wild steelhead.  In fact, we are passionate about wild steelhead.

While escapement forecasts in some regions are underperforming, there are many basins that don't warrant the need for these restrictions and are forecasted to be well above escapement.  Within a couple of those, there are also hatchery runs where anglers will need to have access to catch and capitalize on bringing a fish home.  This access come from the form of "Fishing from a floating device."

The WDFW has set a dangerous precedent with these current restrictions.  By signing this petition you are agreeing that :

---The WDFW needs to take a harder look at equitable solutions to steelhead management for all user groups.
---The anglers of WA State discourage these "blanket" approaches to management and restrictions
---Without river specific studies regarding the amount of current boat fishing pressure and available bank access, no quantitative analysis can be accurately used as a reduction to steelhead encounters
---The anglers of WA ask that user groups like disabled, elderly,  and young anglers not be excluded from participation
---The anglers of WA disagree with the restriction of "no fishing from a floating device" as a management tool as it picks winners and losers for fishing access

This is one small step on the long journey of calling for our state managers to get our steelhead runs in check.  If the restrictions hold and user groups are left out, we run the risk of losing the steelhead's largest advocates for the future, the sport anglers of the Pacific North West.