If you are interested in working with WDFW on our Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement program, please give some consideration to volunteering for this group. It is a hands on group that helps guide the agency in the expenditure of funds to further our Puget Sound salmon program and other related recreational fisheries. I’ve been a member of the group since its inception and think that this is one of the better citizen groups that work with WDFW.

The committee meets at least 4 times per year. The meetings may be anywhere around Puget Sound. Over the years we’ve met in Olympia and at various hatcheries around Puget Sound. If you want to see the enabling statutes, they can be found at:

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.105&full=true

The deadline for your application is November 16.



NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
October 23, 2014
Contact: Ryan Lothrop, (360) 902-2808

WDFW seeks additional candidates for
Puget Sound sport fisheries enhancement group

OLYMPIA – People active in the sportfishing community have a few more weeks to apply for membership on a committee that oversees the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement program.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will now accept nominations to the 10-member Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Oversight Committee through Nov. 16. The original application deadline was Oct. 15.

Ryan Lothrop, WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational salmon manager, said people who have already applied to the committee do not need to re-submit their application.

“We are considering several qualified candidates who have already applied,” Lothrop said. “But we want to allow additional time for nominations to help ensure the committee includes a broad representation of the sportfishing community.”

The committee was created in 2003 by the Legislature to advise WDFW’s director on all aspects of the fisheries enhancement program. Key responsibilities of the program are to restore and enhance recreational fisheries in Puget Sound, ensure the productivity of sustainable populations of salmon and marine bottomfish, and promote recreational fishing opportunities.

Ten volunteers will be appointed to the oversight committee. Members serve two-year terms and may be re-appointed. The next term begins in January and expires in December 2016.

The committee meets several times a year to review projects and provide guidance on funding activities related to the enhancement program.

To qualify, applicants should be closely linked and maintain strong communication with the recreational fishing community, have an understanding of salmon and bottomfish fisheries in Puget Sound and be able to attend the meetings.

Committee members do not receive direct compensation for their work.

Interested individuals do not have to be affiliated with an organized group. Individuals must submit a letter of interest and a resume with the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number and email address.
• Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the enhancement group.
• Effectiveness in communication, including outreach and promotion.

Interested individuals should submit their application to Ryan Lothrop at ryan.lothrop@dfw.wa.gov or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Ryan Lothrop, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia WA, 98501-1091.

For more information on the enhancement program and oversight committee, contact Lothrop at (360) 902-2808.