This is a press release courtesy of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Fishery managers in Washington and Oregon are seeking nominations for candidates to advisory committees that focus on sport and commercial fishing issues on the Columbia River.  Nominations are due Monday, Dec. 15, 2008.

Members of the Columbia River Recreational Fishing Advisory Group and the Columbia River Commercial Fishing Advisory Group meet three to four times per year to discuss issues affecting salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and smelt fisheries.

The two groups advise fishery managers on such issues as structuring sustainable fishing opportunities, developing fishery management plans, minimizing sport/commercial gear conflicts and implementing annual marketing plans.  Members are expected to provide input through the North of Falcon process for setting salmon-fishing seasons, Columbia River Compact commercial fishing hearings and joint state sportfishing hearings.

The committee members will be chosen by Oregon and Washington's fish and wildlife directors to represent recreational or commercial fishing interests in both states. The final membership will reflect all sectors of the two industries, including sport and commercial fishers, charters/guides, processors, equipment suppliers, retailers, ports and affected communities.

Any group or individual may submit a nomination. Nominations should include the following information: A resume with contact information and a statement that describes the nominee's fishing experience, interest in serving on the committee and ability to communicate with regional constituents. Persons nominating someone other than themselves also should include their own contact information.

All nominations can be submitted to WDFW by mail at 2108 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661, by FAX at (360) 906-6776, or by email to TeamVancouver@dfw.wa.gov .  Nominations must be received no later than December 15, 2008.