Grays Harbor Advisory Panel

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

December 2, 2014

Contact: Steve Thiesfeld, (360) 249-1201

WDFW seeks nominations for Grays Harbor
salmon advisory group

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking nominations through Dec. 19 for membership on its advisory group for salmon management in Grays Harbor.

The advisory group consists of up to 12 members. The group advises WDFW on policy issues associated with conservation and management of salmon stocks in the Grays Harbor watershed.

While the advisory group will primarily discuss salmon management, it will also advise the department on issues associated with steelhead and sturgeon management in the watershed, said Steve Thiesfeld, regional fish program manager for WDFW.

"We are looking for a diverse set of people who represent various interests and affiliations to serve on the advisory group," Thiesfeld said.

The advisory group will meet approximately six times a year with most meetings scheduled from January through April in conjunction with the salmon season-setting process, known as North of Falcon.

Advisors may be asked to comment on written material throughout the year. Advisors serve two-year terms and can be reappointed. Appointments become effective in January 2015. Current members are encouraged to reapply. Advisors do not receive direct compensation for their work.

Any group or individual can nominate a candidate to the advisory group. Self-nominations are also accepted. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with an organized group. Nominations must include the following information:

The nominee's name, address and telephone number.

The nominee's affiliations, if any.

The name, address and telephone number of any organization submitting a nomination.

Experience, including the type of experience, and any species or areas of interest, as well as references.

Nominations to the Grays Harbor Salmon advisory group must be received by Dec. 19, 2014.

Nominations may be submitted to Steve Thiesfeld, by mail:

48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA, 98563;

or email at Steven.Thiesfeld@dfw.wa.gov . More information is available by contacting Steve Thiesfeld at (360) 249-1201.

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Fish on...

Todd

"We are looking for a diverse set of people who represent various interests and affiliations to serve on the advisory group," Thiesfeld said.

That might be true on the sports side but on the "other side", it is 100% gill netters, active or retired. In 1 case, there are 3 members from the same family....now if that isn't pushing the scales of Justice out of balance, I don't know what it is.

I'm not a member of this advisory group, and care not to be.....but I do go to most of the meetings. Region 6, Chehalis/Humptulips basins, fishery issues move VERY slowly....classic example, "Wynoochee mitigation $$$$, 21 years and still no Coho or Steelhead have been raised and planted from the 2.4+ million dollars.....grrrrrrrr

One of the most important items that got done, in the recent past, by this group and the Commission .....the inclusion of the conservation issue known as " 4 / 3 ". If QIN gill nets are scheduled, in the river 4+ days, then no NT gill nets can fill the other 3 days. 4 / 3 is good for conservation AND the sports fishery above the 101 bridge, and needs to be continued.