End of the Salmon Ban
Local fishermen win a victory as the state repeals restrictions on salmon fishing in Puget Sound.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
To the Editor: Has the law making it unlawful to catch salmon in the waters of Puget Sound during the months of March, April and May been repealed, and if it has been, is the new law now in effect? The fishermen of Puget Sound want to know if they can keep right on fishing after March 1 without breaking the senseless law which has heretofore done them such injustice. There is no longer any law against catching salmon in the waters of Puget Sound at any time of the year. The old law was repealed through the efforts of members of the King County delegation, which pledged itself to the fishermen to relieve them of the burden of the unjust law which was robbing them of their means of livelihood during three months of the year, without rhyme or reason. Gov. McGraw signed the bill at once, and as it had an emergency clause it is already in effect. Fishermen can ply their vocation after March 1 without fear of breaking any law.
“The fishermen of Puget Sound want to know if they can keep right on fishing after March 1 without breaking the senseless law.”
This story highlights a recurring theme in Pacific Northwest history: the tension between conservation regulation and the livelihoods of local industry. Disputes over fishing rights in Puget Sound have continued to evolve for over a century as environmental and commercial interests collide.
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