President Message
State Board Presidents Message for August.
I hope you're getting out on the water this summer, enjoying some fishing and crabbing.
I'm getting ready to take my young granddaughters to Westport to fish for salmon. Nothing touches my heart more than sharing these experiences with them. They absolutely love everything our natural resources have to offer—salmon fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and clamming. They can't get enough of it.
One thing they tell me is that very few of their friends at school get to experience these things. Their classmates are fascinated by the stories they bring back. It reminds me that this outdoor lifestyle is one of the greatest gifts we have, and it's something worth protecting for our kids, grandkids, and future generations.
I've dedicated much of my life to fisheries, and it makes me think about where we've been and, more importantly, where we're headed. Too often, when we're fighting to protect our fisheries, we spend as much time fighting among ourselves as we do addressing the real challenges. There have been times when I had to move forward despite the disagreements because standing still would have made things even worse. As hard as it is to imagine, it really could have been.
Working in fisheries isn't easy. There isn't a handbook that tells you how to solve these problems. Success comes from building strong relationships with the people who make decisions—from state and federal leaders to our tribal partners. Those relationships have become one of the most important tools we have for protecting and rebuilding our fisheries.
Recently, PSA has been actively working on several important issues. We wrote letters supporting the SAFE ZONE on the lower Columbia River because it's truly a win-win for everyone. That hatchery fishery helps provide salmon for Buoy 10, the Washington and Oregon coasts, British Columbia, and even Alaska. Every hatchery that produces fish people can actually catch benefits anglers throughout the region.
We also urged Congress with a letter to support the Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026. Addressing the growing populations of seals and sea lions is critical. Right now, we're losing far too many salmon to predation, and if we don't act, we'll continue to lose opportunities to fish.
There's still a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. We're committed to turning the boat around and rebuilding healthy salmon runs and fishing opportunities for everyone.
Have a wonderful summer, and if you're not already a member, I encourage you to join your local Puget Sound Anglers (PSA) chapter. I meet people every day who want to learn how to fish, and there's no better place to start than with a PSA chapter. Together, we can help protect the fisheries we all love.
· Ron Garner President PSA