WDFW to seek public input for 5-year review of salmon policy

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will provide an initial briefing to two advisory committees as it begins a review of the 5-year-old policy that guides the management of commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the lower Columbia River.

Members of Washington's Fish and Wildlife Commission in early February directed the WDFW staff to conduct a thorough and transparent review of the policy, which was originally adopted in 2013 in collaboration with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. Bill Tweit, a WDFW special assistant, said the commission members want to ensure the review includes opportunities for the public to participate.

The policy, adjusted by both states in 2017, is designed to promote conservation of salmon and steelhead, prioritize recreational salmon fishing in the lower Columbia River, and shift gillnet fisheries away from the river's main channel. The current Washington policy also calls for increasing hatchery releases in the lower Columbia, expanding the use of alternative fishing gear by commercial fishers, and implementing strategies to reduce the number of Columbia River gillnet permits.

The first opportunity for the public will be March 14 at the WDFW southwest Washington regional office, 5525 South 11th St., Ridgefield. The Columbia River Commercial Fishing Advisory Group will meet from 1-3 p.m., and the Columbia River Recreational Fishing Advisory Group will meet from 3-5 p.m.