WDFW Looking For Fishery Advisors

If you're an active fisherman or someone whose livelihood depends on fishery policies, you may want to consider nominating someone for state fishery advisory committees.

Fishery managers in Washington and Oregon are seeking candidates to fill positions on advisory fishery committees that provide guidance on sport and commercial fishing issues on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

The two states' fish and wildlife departments will accept nominations for three-year terms to their joint advisory groups for Columbia River sport and commercial fisheries through Thursday, Nov. 30. The term is for three years from 2018 through 2020.

The two groups meet two to four times per year to develop recommendations for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and smelt fisheries. Members are expected to provide comments on issues addressed by the North of Falcon season-setting process for salmon fisheries, Columbia River Compact commercial fishing hearings, and joint state hearings on sportfishing regulations.

"Advisory group members provide an important voice for the fishing public," said Bill Tweit, special assistant for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). "We're looking for candidates who can fill that essential role."

Up to 20 candidates will be chosen for each advisory group, which together represent all aspects of the Northwest fishing industry, Tweit said. Qualifications for nominations to each group are posted on WDFW's website.