Fish & Wildlife Seeks Candidates for Fish Restoration Board

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The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking qualified applicants to positions for sport fishing and the commercial salmon industry on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R and E) Program Board. Interested individuals must apply by Oct. 16, 2022.

The ideal sport fishing candidate will be a resident of Oregon that can effectively represent sport anglers. Desirable attributes include involvement with local fishing groups or fish management, previous experience with boards or commissions, and knowledge of, or involvement with, the diverse sport fisheries across Oregon.

The ideal commercial fishing candidate will be a resident of Oregon that can effectively represent Oregon’s commercial salmon industry. Individuals that can represent seafood processors, the commercial troll fleet, or gillnet fleet are encouraged to apply. Desirable attributes include involvement with local fishing groups or fish management, previous experience with boards or commissions, and knowledge of, or involvement with commercially caught salmon in Oregon.

The R and E Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 to help fund fish restoration and enhancement projects in Oregon. The program is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees.

The R and E Program is overseen by a seven-member citizen board of three sport fishing representatives, three commercial salmon industry representatives (troll, gillnet and seafood processing) and one public-at-large representative. The Board reviews grant proposals from various organizations and agencies and recommends projects for funding.

Board members are appointed to four-year terms by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Board meets two to four times each year in various communities throughout the state to review project funding applications, hear public testimony, act as liaisons between the program and the public and to conduct other program business.

Click here for more information on the Board or contact Marty Olson, at (503) 947-6232 or martin.p.olson@odfw.oregon.gov.