From: Public Affairs (DFW)
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:15 PM
To: DFW DL WDFW Staff
Subject: WDFW seeks nominations to Puget Sound rockfish advisory group
NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
November 17, 2009
Contact: Craig Burley, (360) 902-2784
WDFW seeks nominations to
Puget Sound rockfish advisory group
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking nominations through Dec. 2 for membership on its new Puget Sound rockfish advisory group.
Up to 12 qualified individuals will be chosen to serve on the ad hoc advisory group, which will meet periodically through the end of May. The advisory group is responsible for providing guidance on the development of the final Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation Plan, as well as current sportfishing rule proposals designed to protect rockfish.
The rockfish conservation plan is scheduled to be completed this spring, while the sportfishing rule proposals are scheduled to be considered for adoption by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in February.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people who will meet over the next several months and advise the department on the conservation plan and rule proposals,” said Craig Burley, WDFW fish program manager.
Nominees do not have to be affiliated with an organized group. Nominations must be submitted in writing with the following information:
Nominee’s name, address, telephone number and email address.
Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the advisory group.
Nominee’s effectiveness in communication.
Name and contact information for any individual or organization submitting a nomination.
Nominations must be received by Dec. 2. Nominations may be submitted to Craig Burley by mail: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA, 98501; or email at
Craig.Burley@dfw.wa.gov. For more information, contact Burley at (360) 902-2784.
The Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation plan will provide the framework for new strategies and actions in areas including fisheries, monitoring and education to conserve and protect rockfish populations in Puget Sound.
WDFW is currently seeking public comment through Jan. 4 on the draft Puget Sound Rockfish Conservation plan, which is the preferred alternative among several presented in a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS and draft conservation plan, as well as information on how to provide comments, are available on WDFW’s website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/management/rockfish/.
In addition, WDFW is currently accepting written comments on sportfishing rule proposals designed to conserve rockfish in Puget Sound. Comments on those measures, along with more than 100 other sportfishing rule proposals, will be accepted through Dec. 1.
State sportfishing rule proposals for 2010-12 and information on how to provide comments are available on WDFW’s website at
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/rule_proposals/index.htm.
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the proposals at its Dec. 4-5 meeting in Olympia.
