WDFW seeks comments on Willapa Bay salmon policy

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comments through June 3 on a new draft policy to improve salmon management in Willapa Bay.

State fishery managers have been working since last October with a citizen committee and the public to develop draft options for a new policy for Willapa Bay salmon fisheries. The revised policy includes provisions to conserve wild salmon, clarify catch allocation, and reduce conflicts between sport and commercial fishers in the bay.

The policy is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/fisheries/willapa_bay_salmon/ . Written comments may be submitted via email to willapabay@dfw.wa.gov or by mail to Steve Thiesfeld, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

WDFW has developed two new options, bringing the total of alternatives for consideration to five.

WDFW staff members will provide a briefing on the options to the commission at its June meeting. The commission is tentatively scheduled to hold a public hearing on the policy and is expected to take action at the meeting Saturday, June 13, in Olympia.

Information about upcoming commission meetings can be found online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/ .