Public meetings on Willapa Bay salmon management coming to Raymond

Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Willapa Bay salmon management policy will be reviewed during two public meetings of the Willapa Bay salmon advisory group in October and November.

The meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 24 and Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m. at the Raymond Elks Lodge, 326 3rd St. Public comment will be taken at the end of each meeting, and include discussion with Willapa Bay salmon advisors.

According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, “Willapa Bay policy is meant to help restore natural salmon runs, reduce conflicts between commercial and recreational fisheries in Willapa Bay, and enhance the economic well-being and stability of the recreational and commercial fishing industry in the state.”

The Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the plan in 2015 after significant public input, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the policy, with help from stakeholders.

At the upcoming meetings, state fishery managers expect to go over a draft of the comprehensive policy review document, said Chad Herring, fish policy lead for the south coast.

“We know how important these salmon fisheries are to the Willapa Bay community,” Herring said. “We hope that the public will come out to share their thoughts on the effectiveness and future direction of the policy.”

More information about the policy and meetings can be found online at wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/wbsag.

Fish and Wildlife staff will provide an update on the policy to the Fish and Wildlife Commission Oct. 17. For commission meeting dates and documents, visit wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings.