‘God-given right to fish!’ Tri-City protest risks more than public health | Editorial

Tri-City anglers are understandably upset they can’t fish under Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order — especially when they see other people enjoying the water.

If you’re simply sitting in a boat, there’s no problem. But put a fishing rod in your hand and you’re breaking the rules. Admittedly, it doesn’t seem to make much sense.

But encouraging people to gather for a protest against the fishing ban likely isn’t going to change the governor’s mind, or the minds of those in charge of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

And it’s possible the stunt could backfire in terrible ways.

Ben Hanes, a Tri-Citian who has fished professionally in the past, is organizing a protest at Columbia Point Park in Richland on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is a way to stand up for a “God-given right to fish,” he said.

The plan is to prove that it’s possible to fish and still adhere to the state’s social distancing guidelines. Participants are not expected to fish — only sit in their boats so they don’t go against WDFW regulations.

He said over 100 boats are committed to the protest, and close to 400 people also have shown an interest in the movement on his Facebook page, #LetUsFish.

In addition to boats on the water, Hanes said protesters on foot are encouraged to bring signs and practice social distancing within the park. In his Facebook post, he said the “event has the potential to cause a raucous.”

That’s the concern.

The governor’s stay-at-home order means stay home as much as possible. The coronavirus is killing people.

The Tri-Cities is considered a hot spot with 34 deaths so far related to the COVID-19 illness, which is caused by the coronavirus. Only two other counties in the state have lost more residents to the disease than Benton County.

Everyone must do their part if we are going to slow the outbreak.

No matter the good intentions, gathering for a fishing protest goes against the spirit of the social distancing effort that, so far, has been working well because people are voluntarily complying.

Large crowds are difficult to manage in the best of times. Expecting everyone to behave when they’ve been cooped up and are now fired up is a huge ask.

What happens if some protesters get carried away and don’t follow the rules?

There is a risk that instead of proving anglers can keep their distance from one another, the event will show just the opposite. It would only take a few overzealous characters to ruin the message Hanes and others are trying to send to state officials — and that would be a shame.

Mike Livingston, WDFW director for the South Central region, said the department is trying to comply with the governor’s stay-at-home order, which is supposed to last until May 4. That meant discouraging people from traveling.

He said WDFW officials already are trying to think how the rules might be modified if the governor relaxes some social distancing requirements in the next few weeks.

During the start of clam digging season this spring, people overwhelmed state beaches. Livingston said coastal town were overrun and many city officials asked the state to ban the digging season to keep outsiders away from their communities. That led to them thinking about what to do with the fishing season.

Trying to figure out different rules for different fishing scenarios ended up seeming inequitable, so the decision was made to make a uniform rule that delays the season for everyone, Livingston said.

Hilary Franz, the state Commissioner for Public Lands, closed public lands after state rangers saw large gatherings and people walking shoulder to shoulder on forest trails.

Officials with WDFW are of the same mindset.

We agree with the anglers that it’s tough to understand why Washington is the only state in the country to ban fishing.

It’s also tough to understand why people who make the effort to stay away from others can’t find a lonely fishing spot and do what they love.

But staging a fishing protest is a risky way to show that frustration. Large gatherings — even outside and spread apart — risk spreading the coronavirus to people who otherwise would not become infected.

Tri-City anglers should find a safer way to get their message to the governor and state wildlife officials.

This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 2:05 PM with the headline "‘God-given right to fish!’ Tri-City protest risks more than public health | Editorial."