Commission’s Fish Committee to hold meeting to discuss coastal steelhead conservation and fishing regulations

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Fish Committee will hold a public meeting on Friday, Dec. 11, to discuss recently announced coastal steelhead regulation changes and hear public comment.

Fish Program staff with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will provide the Fish Committee a briefing on coastal steelhead, including long-term trends, 2020-21 forecast, management actions to meet conservation objectives, and fishing opportunity.

WDFW on Tuesday announced upcoming coast-wide changes to sportfishing regulations in an effort to conserve wild steelhead as several coastal rivers are expected to again come in below escapement goals. The meeting is intended to provide the committee with an overview and background for these rules, which go into effect on Dec. 14.

The committee, which is made up of four members of the nine-member Commission, will also hear public comment during the meeting. No decisions will be made at the meeting.

The meeting will take place from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11. To support COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the meeting will be available to the public to watch or listen through the webinar or conference call. For more information and to view an agenda, visit wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings. The meeting will also be recorded and posted online so people can also watch the meeting afterwards at their convenience.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the 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.