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State of Washington 

 DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE 



Mailing Address: 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia. WA 98501-1091 - (206) 902-2200: TDD (206) 902-2207 

 Main Oflice Location: Natural Resources Building, ml Washington Street SE. Olympia. WA 



June 30. 1994 



TO: Governor Mike Lowry 



FROM: Bob Turner, Direj 



SUBJECT: PACIFIC SALMON TREATY 



In response to your request, below are identified issues that must be addressed as we 

 move through 1994 negotiations with Alasica and Canada toward a comprehensive 

 rebuilding agreement. With a strategy to pursue these issues clearly identUBed and 

 understood by all panies, a 1994 fishing regime agreement could, I believe, be rapidly 

 constructed and agreed upon. 



First, it is imponant that Canada remove its notorious transit fee on U.S. Qshing vessels 

 passing through Canadian waters. However, this financial conflict should remain only a 

 financial conflict and its resolution should not delay discussions on a 1994 and long-term 

 fishing agreement. This fee is incidental to the serious conservation concerns for the 

 salmon resource. 



Second, the U.S. must be mindful that, without specific agreement otherwise, continued 

 Alaskan harvest of Canadian sockeye will precipitate in October a trial under U.S. v. 

 Washing ton to resolve a dispute between Alaska and other parties as to Alaska's role, if 

 any, in satisfying the United States' obligations under the Stevens Treaties with the 

 Indian Tribes in Washington. 



This complicated issue should not go to trial in October as is now the schedule. 

 Washington has suggested to Alaska and the U.S. a variety of ways that would quite 

 simply and likely avoid the conflict by begiiming to address Canadian concerns for 

 Alaska's northern boundary fisheries. Alaska appears to have entertained none of these 

 ideas. The U.S. should review these proposals, recognize the significance of this 

 potential litigation, and gain the necessary agreements in 1994 to avoid the Indian/non- 

 Indian accounting issues associated with Alaskan catch of Fraser River sockeye this year. 

 The U.S. Attorney should request from the U.S. District Court a delay in the trial date 

 until sufficient time, perhaps as short as one year, has been provided the parties to 

 develop a long-term settlement of this complex issue. 



