Washington fishing peaked in the 1970s and the number of licensed anglers has been declining steadily, despite the fact Washington has a growing population with more boats per capita than any other state. The sport fishing decline also is directly related to profits. There are compelling economic reasons to make some changes. Sayre, a 1960 Olympic gold medalist in rowing, is the executive director. The group is supported by anglers, commercial fishermen, farmers and business.
Maintenance is a key.
We have to ask ourselves the right questions and bring people back to Washington to fish by maintaining this resource. The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association also is working on finding constructive solutions to the region's problems, and their message is that fishing means business. If maintenance and economics are the keys, then politics may well be the industry's hurdle. Stakeholders will either work together in partnerships under better leadership in 1996, or we will self-destruct and the resources will go into the toilet. We must find a universally respected and articulate leadership.