Supporters of I-696 said the salmon's listing as endangered or threatened underscores the need to stop commercial fishing. Worse, they say, it distracts attention from what really has to be done to save the salmon. Opponents say the initiative won't reduce the catch but will merely shift it to Native Americans. They say commercial fishing is so carefully managed today that few salmon runs are caught in the nets. For example, when the chum salmon season opens in Puget Sound next month, commercial boats can only fish six days over five weeks, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Few fishermen make their livings working Washington waters exclusively.
Many fish in Alaska. Some, like Plenkovich, work other jobs. Plenkovich, a truck driver when he's not hauling nets, says he earns about half his income fishing. He'd rather make his living exclusively from fishing, he said, but those days are long gone. Still, he dreams of fishing until he's ready to retire.