The way I read it, Mr. Hooton’s comments were focused specifically on steelhead and the very notable differences in DFO compliance language when you compare the stipulated guidelines for the commercial net fisheries in Area 4 as compared to Area 23.
For an outsider like myself looking in, based on the lack of any specific compliance language (gear specifications, soak times, fish handling practices etc) that accompany DFO announcements of openers in Area 23, it does appear that the last remaining Stamp/Somass steelhead warrant close to zero attention by managers in this region compared to the how the Skeena fisheries are managed. Whether they are true “commercial” openers or FN openers is besides the point. They are sanctioned net fisheries by the DFO
Again, for an outside like me who doesn’t sit at the management tables for these two regions, it sure appears from the outside looking in that the managers in Area 4 are at least a making an attempt to show they give a shiat about the long term viability of the steelhead resource.
Area 23....not so much