FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING via CONFERENCE CALL
February 19, 2010 - 8:30 a.m.
Olympia, Washington
ATTENDANCE: |
Commission |
Department |
Miranda Wecker, Chair |
Phil Anderson, Director |
Gary Douvia, Vice Chair |
Craig Burley |
Conrad Mahnken |
Patrick Frazier |
Brad Smith |
|
Chuck Perry |
Commission Staff: |
Rollie Schmitten |
Susan Yeager |
David Jennings |
|
|
|
Ken Chew |
|
George Orr |
|
|
|
Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
A. COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA ITEMS -- DISCUSSION:
The Commission and Department staff discussed potential agenda topics for the March 12-13, 21010, Commission meeting in Olympia.
B. GENERAL DISCUSSION:
COLUMBIA RIVER COMPACT, STURGEON FISHERY
Patrick Frazier briefed the Commission on Columbia River sturgeon fishery regulations and presented staff’s proposal that the Commission delegate authority to the Director for the purpose of achieving regulations concurrently with Oregon.
Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to delegate authority to the Director for adoption of permanent regulations governing the sport sturgeon fishery in the Lower Columbia River, WAC 232-28-619. The motion carried unanimously.
BOTTOMFISH LIMITS, MARINE AREA 4
Phil Anderson and Craid Burley briefed the Commission on developments since the recent adoption of amendments to bag limits for rockfish in Marine Area 4. Following discussions with the Department’s Rockfish Advisory Group, staff developed a new recommendation that would modify the boundaries so the rule applies only to the eastern portion of the Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay) east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line.
Commissioner Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, that the Commission reopen agenda Item #6 from the February 4-5-6, 2010, meeting in order to reconsider amendments to WAC 220-56-235, Possession Limits—Bottomfish. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Douvia moved; seconded by Commissioner Schmitten to amend WAC 220-56-235, Possession limits – Bottomsfish, as proposed by staff [“(1)(b) Rockfish - 10 fish. Release all canary and yelloweye rockfish. In Marine Area 4 east of the Bonilla Tatoosh line: 6 fish. Only black or blue rockfish may be retained”]. The motion carried unanimously.
Additional discussion topics included Commission committees, status of legislation and statewide hiring freeze.
Chair Wecker adjourned the meeting at 10:11 a.m.
