Nominees sought for new Puget Sound craband shrimp advisory committee

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking nominations for candidates to a new citizen committee that advises the department on Puget Sound recreational crab and shrimp fishing issues.

Advisors will provide a communication link between WDFW and other recreational fishers. Committee members will advise WDFW fishery managers on issues such as structuring sustainable fishing opportunities, developing fishery management plans and designing fishing seasons.

Nominations should include the following information: Name, address, telephone number, email address of the nominee; specific experience; the marine area of Puget Sound where they harvest crab and shrimp; their reason(s) for interest in being an advisor; their views on how an advisor should work with other Puget Sound advisors and WDFW staff in resolving Puget Sound crab and shrimp fishery issues; the methods they would use to relay information to regional constituents and to assist in productive communication with WDFW.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m., Sept. 15, and may be mailed to: Point Whitney Shellfish Laboratory, Attn: Rich Childers, 1000 Point Whitney Rd., Brinnon WA, 98320. Nominations can also be submitted by FAX to (360) 586-8408, or emailed to childrkc@dfw.wa.gov . Any group or individual may submit a nomination.

Advisors will be chosen based on their experience in the recreational crab and shrimp fishery, their ability to address issues in a thoughtful, productive manner, their willingness to engage in the management process, and their ability to communicate with fishery managers and other recreational and commercial fishers or organizations. Nominees need not be affiliated with an organized group.

Nominees should be available for advisory committee meetings three to four times per year. Additional conference call meetings may also be held to discuss in-season management issues. Advisors will be expected to remain informed on pertinent issues and to provide objective assessments, based on experience and first-hand information about the fisheries, harvest-allocation and conservation issues.

Up to 12 individuals will be chosen for two-year appointments that begin Nov. 1. Appointees will be notified by Oct. 15.

For more information, please contact Rich Childers at (360) 586-1498, ext. 400, or Lisa Veneroso at (360) 902-2836.