Columbia River Alternative Gear Advisory Board

With the Designation of a Lower Columbia Emerging Commercial Fishery per WAC 220-360-500, the Columbia River Alternative Gear Advisory Board has now transitioned to a workgroup.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) alternative gear efforts are directed by Policy C-3630 (PDF). Use of various gears (i.e., purse seine, beach seine, and pound net) in the lower Columbia commercial fishery is currently prohibited by Washington state laws (RCW 77.50.030) except within the newly designated Emerging Commercial Fishery taking place in the Fall of 2024. Members of this workgroup will continue to provide input on the implementation of the Emerging Commercial Fishery and other topics related to Alternative Commercial Gear in Washington.

At the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, we celebrate diverse individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives. All are welcome to participate in our processes regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.

Contacts and member info

Guidelines

WDFW Advisory Group Handbook (PDF)

Contacts

Charlene Hurst
Columbia River Management Unit Lead
Charlene.Hurst@dfw.wa.gov
360-605-5247

Beth Deacy
Columbia River Fisheries Sampling Coordinator
bethany.deacy@dfw.wa.gov
360-600-7069

Meeting calendar

Agendas will be available approximately one week prior to the next meeting.

Date	Location	Meeting materials
, Jan. 19, 2024	Virtual meeting, using Microsoft Teams, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm	Agenda to come
, June 13, 2023	Hybrid meeting starting at 10:30 am - 1:30 pm	Agenda (PDF) Presentation (PDF)
, May 9, 2023	Hybrid meeting starting at 1pm. Those attending in person will meet at the Region 5, Ridgefield Office: 5525 S 11th St, Ridgefield WA 98642	Agenda (PDF)
, Feb. 28, 2023	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams starting at 10 am.	Agenda to come
, Jan. 18, 2023	Hybrid meeting using Microsoft Teams, with in person option at the WDFW Region 5 Office starting at 10am	Agenda to come
, Oct. 25, 2022	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams.	Agenda to come Alt-Gear Fishery Senarios (PDF)
, Oct. 7, 2022	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams.	Agenda to come Implementation Model Presentation (PDF)
, Aug. 23, 2022	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams	Agenda to come
, April 19, 2022	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams	Agenda (PDF)
, April 28, 2021	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams	Agenda (PDF) Potential Alternative Gear Grants (PDF) Pound Net Permitting Panel Questions (PDF) Panelist Presentation- Habitat Program (PDF)
, March 24, 2021	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams	Agenda (PDF) Draft Analysis of Fish Trap Costs (PDF) Steps for Emerging Commercial Fishery (PDF)
, Feb. 24, 2021	Virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams	Agenda (PDF)

Additional information

Seine Fishery letter, fall 2016 (PDF) - A letter informing commercial fishers of the seine fishery structure

Emerging Commercial Fishery Designation Rulemaking - Track current rule making activities here

Relevant RCWs and WACs

RCW 77.65.400 – Designation of a fishery as an emerging commercial fishery
RCW 77.70.160 – Issuance of experimental fisher permits for commercial harvest
RCW 77.70.180 - Emerging Commercial Fishery Report to Legislature
WAC 220-360-030 – Formation of Experimental Fishery Advisory board, this advisory board