The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking applicants from the commercial salmon industry to serve on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R and E) Program Board. The deadline to apply is Oct. 16.
According to the ODFW, the ideal commercial fishing candidate would be an Oregon resident who 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. The program, which is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees, is overseen by a seven-member citizen board of three sport fishing representatives.
Three are 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 and 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.
For more information on the Board, visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/RE/board.asp.