Northwest Fishing Reports

06:12 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 26, 2009
By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

SHELTON, Wash. - Human waste is being blamed for the closure of a tribal shellfish harvest on the Skokomish River near Shelton. State health officials say evidence suggests a huge turnout of non-tribal salmon fishermen is to blame, and the tribe is furious.

“The fact that the Skokomish Tribe must close an important shellfish harvest area as a direct result of non-Indian activities that are authorized by WDFW is an outrage and violates the tribe’s treaty rights,” said Skokomish Tribal Chairman Charles “Guy” Miller.

State Department of Health Shellfish Manager Bob Woolridge confirmed Wednesday it has ordered the closure of the Tribe's oyster harvest at the mouth of the Skokomish. There is so much visual evidence and reports of human waste on the banks of the river, and since people eat oysters raw, Wooldridge said the health department felt it only prudent to close the harvest.

Woolridge says a strong return of Chinook Salmon has attracted as many as 2,000 non-tribal fisherman a day and many of them are apparently not using the facilities.

He also says seagulls, attracted to the salmon leftovers, could be adding to the problem.

The tribe has its own solution.

“We think it is particularly important that the recreational fishery in this area be closed immediately to prevent the problem from getting any worse,” said Miller. “The area also needs to be cleaned up. Simply waiting for floodwaters to flush the area is an unacceptable return to the philosophy of ‘dilution is the solution.’”

Sanitation concerns prompt actions
by WDFW on the Skokomish River

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is taking measures to encourage better sanitary practices by anglers fishing the Skokomish River to protect both human health and fish and shellfish resources.

With hundreds of recreational salmon anglers fishing the river each day, an accumulation of human waste and trash is creating potential health and water quality problems, said Jim Scott, assistant director for WDFW's fish program.

To improve the situation, the department is increasing the number of dumpsters and portable toilets in the areas along the river that are most affected.

"We know that the state Department of Health has closed a portion of the Skokomish River delta to shellfish harvesting due to multiple sources of fecal coliform bacteria," Scott said. "We can't say for sure that human waste is contributing to the problem, but we want to eliminate that possibility by offering more waste-disposal means for anglers."

WDFW is also posting signs in the area asking anglers for their assistance in keeping the area safe and clean, Scott said.

"We're telling the public that we need their cooperation to keep the Skokomish River open to fishing," Scott said.

That includes fishing legally in addition to improving sanitation, he said. Since the fishery opened Aug. 1, WDFW enforcement officers have been monitoring the river, where numerous fishing violations have occurred. In a recent emphasis patrol, officers issued 56 citations for violations such as using illegal gear, snagging fish and exceeding catch limits.

"Our intention is to conduct an orderly fishery on the Skokomish," Scott said. "Continued fishing opportunity depends on the behavior of anglers and the choices they make."

The Skokomish River is currently open for recreational salmon fishing seven days a week from the mouth of the river to the Hwy. 101 Bridge.

Whatever happened to 'take it in - take it out?

I hate seeing trash along the hiway, rivers, lake shores, and in the water.

human waste as in...feces? or just garbage...

because if they mean feces, thats absolutely disgusting.

Big D wrote: "We know that the state Department of Health has closed a portion of the Skokomish River delta to shellfish harvesting due to multiple sources of fecal coliform bacteria," Scott said.

urine isn't a problem since it is sterile.

As if Hood Canal didn't already have sewage waste problems, guess this just adds more to it around the Skok when the fish are in there. I'm hoping that people aren't taking dumps in the water with their feces haha.