I volunteered for a decade for a group trying to save wild salmon. Towards the end, I attended the EPA hearings for adding 12+ local salmon runs to the endangered species list. So depressing. Then GWB got selected, pushing a clear "pave it all" agenda, the conservation effort fizzled; my peeps just gave up.

By comparison, Bush Sr signed the landmark federal legislation for wetlands conservation. Huge progress after the Reagan & James Watt era of environmental destruction.

I think there's been some policy progress since I left the scene. Our tribes, fishermen, and anglers have made (mostly) common cause. Still opposed by timber and developers, of course. (I don't know agriculture's current policy position.) And what can any one do about international treaties and open water and modern technology (fish spotting, tracking)?

Any way. My family loved to fish. Very involved with Trout Unlimited, Poggie Club, etc. My brother studied to be a marine biologist.

The deep irony for me is that conserving the wild fisheries would have immense positive economic impact. Ditto cultural. Our current policies (malign neglect) steal dollars from the majority to give pennies to a select few. Woot.

Edit- Removed pejorative reference to Watt's faith-based anti-environmentalism.