Clarifying Makah's salmon catch

Re: Jason Griffith's Feb. 20 letter "Makah catch was not greedy," in response to Terry Williams over the allotment comment. Mr. Griffith's explanation was there is no such thing as an "allotment" during the winter troll fisheries, but a "high or low abundance" which in fact was 500 to 1,000 Chinook salmon (20,000 Chinook salmon were caught).

The abundance numbers were set by the tribe and state fishery biologists, our self stamped guardians of too many things already, and they once again screwed it up. So in saying this, Terry Williams appears to be wrong by indicating the Makahs were "greedy" when 20 to 40 times the "allotment" was caught.

In reality the Makahs caught 20 to 40 times the "abundance." Now with this said, should we remove the word "greedy" from Terry Williams letter, and allow us to get the warm fuzzies listening to another biologist doing a song and dance for those willing to listen?
Mr. Griffith mentioned how impoverished the Makahs are, and that they were just making good money (well duh!). If all impoverished people harvested 20 to 40 times the abundance of anything to make good money — well you do the math. One last thing Mr. Griffith, I use the word "harvest" when taking any animal that I put on my table. The game department decides which areas can withstand or need to be harvested. If 20 to 40 times the abundance were taken, well kiss that goodbye.

Rick O'Neil
Sedro-Woolley

Letters to the Editor - Skagit Valley Herald