With the Designation of a Lower Columbia Emerging Commercial Fishery per WAC 220-360-500, the Columbia River Alternative Gear Advisory Board has now transitioned to a workgroup.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) alternative gear efforts are directed by Policy C-3630 (PDF). Use of various gears (i.e., purse seine, beach seine, and pound net) in the lower Columbia commercial fishery is currently prohibited by Washington state laws (RCW 77.50.030) except within the newly designated Emerging Commercial Fishery taking place in the Fall of 2024. Members of this workgroup will continue to provide input on the implementation of the Emerging Commercial Fishery and other topics related to Alternative Commercial Gear in Washington.
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
Guidelines
Contacts
Charlene Hurst
Columbia River Management Unit Lead
Charlene.Hurst@dfw.wa.gov
360-605-5247
Beth Deacy
Columbia River Fisheries Sampling Coordinator
bethany.deacy@dfw.wa.gov
360-600-7069
Meeting calendar
Agendas will be available approximately one week prior to the next meeting.
Date | Location | Meeting materials |
---|---|---|
Jan. 19, 2024
|
Virtual meeting, using Microsoft Teams, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Agenda to come |
June 13, 2023
|
Hybrid meeting starting at 10:30 am - 1:30 pm |
|
May 9, 2023
|
Hybrid meeting starting at 1pm. Those attending in person will meet at the Region 5, Ridgefield Office: 5525 S 11th St, Ridgefield WA 98642 |
|
Feb. 28, 2023
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams starting at 10 am. |
Agenda to come |
Jan. 18, 2023
|
Hybrid meeting using Microsoft Teams, with in person option at the WDFW Region 5 Office starting at 10am |
Agenda to come |
Oct. 25, 2022
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams. |
Agenda to come |
Oct. 7, 2022
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams. |
Agenda to come |
Aug. 23, 2022
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams |
Agenda to come |
April 19, 2022
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams |
|
April 28, 2021
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams |
|
March 24, 2021
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams |
|
Feb. 24, 2021
|
Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams |
Additional information
Seine Fishery letter, fall 2016 (PDF) - 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