Columbia River Alternative Gear Advisory Board

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) alternative gear efforts are directed by Policy C-3630. While work continues on developing alternative gears, WDFW under guidance from Director Kelly Susewind, is pursuing an emerging commercial fishery designation (RCW 77.65.400) via rule making. Use of various gears (e.g. purse seine, beach seine, and pound net) in the lower Columbia commercial fishery is currently prohibited by Washington state laws (RCW 77.50.030). Designating an emerging commercial fishery would allow their use and continued development. Per RCW, the five-person director-appointed advisory board will make recommendations on how, when, and where to operate the gear in the newly designated fishery.

At the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, we celebrate diverse individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives. All are welcome to participate in our processes regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.

Contacts and member info

Members

Guidelines

Contacts

Meeting calendar

Date Location Meeting materials

More details to come.

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams starting at 10 am.

Hybrid meeting using Microsoft Teams, with in person option at the WDFW Region 5 Office starting at 10am

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams.

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams.

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams

Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams

Additional information

 

Seine Fishery letter, fall 2016 - A letter informing commercial fishers of the seine fishery structure

Emerging Commercial Fishery Designation Rulemaking - Track current rule making activities here

Relevant RCWs and WACs 

RCW 77.65.400 – Designation of a fishery as an emerging commercial fishery
RCW 77.70.160 – Issuance of experimental fisher permits for commercial harvest
RCW 77.70.180 - Emerging Commercial Fishery Report to Legislature
WAC 220-360-030 – Formation of Experimental Fishery Advisory board, this advisory board