Commission to discuss listing status for gray and humpback whales and Willapa Bay salmon management policy implementation during its February meeting  

Correction: News release has been updated to reflect that the Commission is not scheduled to decide on the listing status for gray and humpback whales during its Feb. 25-27 meeting. The decision has been moved to a future meeting.

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hear updates on the status for gray and humpback whales as well as discuss lands planning, salmon policy, and crab fisheries management topics during its Feb. 25-27 virtual meeting.

The Commission will have wildlife, habitat, and Big Tent committee meetings on Thursday, Feb. 25, to hear briefings on a suite of topics, including fish passage rulemaking and 2021-2023 hunting season setting proposals. 

On Friday, Feb. 26, the full Commission will hear an update regarding the recently adopted Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Management Plan and the state listing status of gray and humpback whales. Commission members will also hear updates on the development of a conservation plan for the coastal commercial Dungeness crab fishery to address whale entanglement concerns. 

On Saturday, Commission members will hear updates on the implementation of the Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy and consider interim guidance for the 2021 fisheries planning process for this area.

The Commission will take open public comment on Friday and Saturday mornings and as part of several updates throughout the meeting. To support COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, this meeting will be conducted online and be available to the public to watch or listen via webinar or conference call. 

For more information on how to participate and to view the agenda, visit wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings. This meeting will also be recorded and posted online so people can also watch afterwards at their convenience.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). WDFW is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish and wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.