Tribal fishermen are literally at the end of the line when it comes to most salmon fisheries. Under treaties with the federal government, tribes are required to take their share of the salmon in traditional harvest areas, mainly in bays and at river mouths. These are called terminal areas, and they allow for highly selective fisheries by tribes. By the time returning adult salmon reach these areas, strong and weak stocks are no longer mixed. This allows tribal fishermen to target only healthy runs that can support harvest.
Tribal fishermen are literally at the end of the line when it comes to most salmon fisheries.
Under treaties with the federal government, tribes are required to take their share of the salmon in traditional harvest areas, mainly in bays and at river mouths. Fisheries are carefully planned and monitored to ensure that biologically sound harvest levels are not exceeded. Tribal net fisheries are strictly regulated, from the net's length and size of mesh, to the amount of time a fishery is opened. These time, place and manner restrictions are used by managers to concentrate harvest effort on strong stocks that can support harvest. Habitat protection and restoration projects, hatchery reform and improved salmon management planning, are just some of the ways that the treaty Indian tribes in Western Washington are working to protect, enhance and restore wild salmon populations.