Shiosaki resigns from Fish and Wildlife Commission

SPOKANE VALLEY- After more than eight years of service on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, Fred Shiosaki of Spokane is retiring from the nine-member citizen panel.

Shiosaki announced his resignation at the close of a commission meeting Saturday in Spokane Valley.

Former Gov. Gary Locke in 1999 appointed Shiosaki to the commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. He was reappointed in 2005 to a term that was to have continued through 2010. Shiosaki served as vice-chair of the commission from January 2005 until last January.

An avid fisher, Shiosaki championed recreational fishing and youth outdoor education during his commission service, including programs such as "Fishing Kids" and "Go Play Outside." He was instrumental in securing state funding for construction of WDFW's eastern regional office in Spokane Valley, and for completion of a laboratory, shop and storage facility at the regional headquarters.

"Fred's experience and wisdom—and his dedication to sustaining fish and wildlife resources and recreational opportunity—will be greatly missed," said WDFW Director Jeff Koenings.

Shiosaki was a member of the all-Japanese/American 442nd Infantry Regiment, graduated from Gonzaga University, and attended graduate school at the University of Washington. After working as the Spokane city chemist, he set up the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority and served as its director and control officer for 11 years. In 1985, he retired from Washington Water Power, (now known as Avista), where he managed the environmental affairs department. He chaired the Washington Ecological Commission for seven years.