Washington and Oregon seek nominations for Columbia River fishing advisory groups

OLYMPIA – Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon are seeking nominations for advisors to fill positions on advisory committees that provide input on recreational and commercial fishing issues on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) are accepting nominations for appointees to three-year terms on the Columbia River Commercial Fishing Advisory Group and Columbia River Recreational Fishing Advisory Group through Nov. 24, 2020. The new terms begin in January 2021 and end in December 2023.

The two groups meet two to four times per year to develop recommendations for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and smelt fisheries. Members are expected to participate within the:

• North of Falcon season-setting process for salmon fisheries,
• Columbia River Compact commercial fishery hearings, and
• Joint state hearings on recreational fishery regulations.

“These advisory group members are a critical connection between WDFW, ODFW, and the public,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River fishery manager with WDFW. “They represent an important voice in Columbia River fishery management discussions.”

Up to 20 applicants from Washington and Oregon will be chosen for each advisory group, representing a wide array of fishing interests. Learn more about the Recreational Fishing Advisory Group at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/crrfag and the Commercial Fishing Advisory Group at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/crcfag/.

Advisors will be selected based on their fishery experience, willingness to engage in the management process, geographic and diverse affiliation representation, and their ability to communicate with fishery managers and other organizations.

Individuals may self-apply or be nominated by a group or another individual; nominees must be willing to serve if selected. All nominations should be accompanied by a resume for the nominee that includes the following: 

• Name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of nominee, and if applicable the individual or organization submitting the nomination. 
• Description/listing of which Columbia River Basin fisheries (area and season) the nominee participates in, including the number of years the nominee has participated in each. Please note which fisheries are of specific interest. 
• Reasons the nominee wants to serve as an advisor.
• Description of how the nominee intends to communicate information with other constituents in their local areas. 
• Affiliations to fishery-related organizations and/or guides/charters. 

Nominations for Washington residents can be submitted to WDFW by mail at 5525 S. 11th Street, Ridgefield, WA 98642, by fax at 360-906-6776, or by email to myrtice.dobler@dfw.wa.gov.   

Nominations for Oregon residents can be submitted to ODFW by mail at 17330 SE Evelyn St., Clackamas, OR 97015, by fax at 971-673-6072, or by email to Sarah.R.Sapienza@state.or.us.

Nominations must be received no later than Nov. 24, 2020.

WDFW is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.