Very interesting insight into fishery history and forming of the Boldt decision, something that I read about during my studies. Its a great example on how important it is to include native fishermen in these processes, as they are nearly always the ones with the knowledge and experience needed to manage nature healthily. Unfortunately it was quite long, and slow going, so it took me a while to finish. I do recommend it, but more as a text book than an entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for the advanced reader copy.

As someone who works as fisheries scientist, employed by a tribe in the Pacific Northwest this is such a good resource of information for a formative time that happened before I was born. As someone born and raised in Washington, I am pretty sad and angry this wasnt taught to me, even in my "PNW history" course in high school. This was such a wild time in politics in our region and I was enthralled in the learning of it.

Wilkerson gives a really great overview of what leadership and cooperation looks like and I felt so inspired by his ability to listen to those around him and learn as well as lead and not compromise his goal.

As someone who is invested in fisheries and marine policy, this is a great book. I liked how the author demonstrated years of his own experiences and relationships with First Nations, government, industry folks, and fisheries. I was also glad to find that the book really highlights why First Nations are untrustworthy of non-Indigenous people in the fisheries space (and outside of fisheries but the primary focus in the book is fisheries or fisheries adjacent). Sadly this issue is still prevalent which makes this aspect of the book really standout as these issues are continually pervasive in policy spaces.

All that said, it was so incredibly packed of information and so slow, making it quite an unenjoyable read. I have read books that communicate policy and the “behind-the-scenes” parts of fisheries work without being so convoluted. This is why the rating is what it is. I’ll likely buy the book when it’s published because I think it is a wonderful ressource for fisheries policy understanding and will be recommending it to my colleagues who also are interested or work in policy as well.

Growing up as a avid sportsman and fisherman, I remember when the Boldt decision was issued. It's effects were huge. Basically, it ruled that Native American people (from their treaties), were entitled to half of the total catch of fish in a fishery. In Wisconsin, I remember the anger and racism directed at Natives, as they exercised their rights to spear walleyes, even during spawning seasons. Law enforcement was called to defuse explosive situations occurring at boat landings. Now I live in the Pacific Northwest. Where the Boldt decision was decided. And I still hear fishermen lamenting the decision, even 50 years later.
The author was one of the men who was tasked with implementing the decision. He teamed with "white" fishermen, Native fishermen, fisheries biologists, and politicians to ensure the court's wishes were carried out.
In the book, he describes all of the factors and behind the scenes maneuvering that took place.
In my opinion, however, the book loses it's effectiveness by the amount of exhaustive detail the author goes into. It seems like he has documented every meeting, lunch, and phone call over the course of 4o years. It really is exhausting. I wish he had just edited the book down, it would have been much more interesting to read. This book will do well in college libraries, where future students can see all the documentation. It will be valuable in that sense. But as far as a casual read, it's just too much.