The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking for public input on management strategies for salmon and steelhead in Lower Columbia River tributary fisheries, the WDFW stated in a news release.
Survey responses will inform potential updates to the Lower Columbia River Tributary Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan. The online survey is open through April 30 and can be accessed at https://publicinput.com/b54873.
“This is an opportunity for individuals to weigh in on how we approach fisheries management in Lower Columbia River tributaries,” said Bryce Glaser, WDFW’s Southwest Region Fish Program manager. “Through public input and the latest scientific modeling, we can make informed decisions that support both fish populations and fishing opportunities for years to come.”
Last updated in 2003, the Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan meets a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration requirement in order to set fishing seasons for salmon and steelhead listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan sets fishery targets, such as how many fish should escape to spawn or how many fish can be harvested, according to the release.
The plan also assesses conservation risks, outlines how fisheries and fish populations are regulated, monitored and enforced, and includes performance measures to track progress toward management objectives.
More information about the Lower Columbia River Tributary Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan is available on the WDFW blog at https://shorturl.at/ncWsy.
