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News
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Urgent: Attendance Needed At These Meetings
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Please make every effort possible to attend the next two critical Commission meetings to support removal of gillnets from the lower Columbia River.
WDFW Commission, November 8th, 2:00 PM, Olympia, Natural Resources Building
Joint “bi-state” WA and OR, November 15 in Astoria, OR
Details with the exact location and timing will be sent to you via a CCA WA Action Alert. |
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Report; October 6th WDFW Commission Meeting
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On October 6th, about two dozen CCA members attended a vital hearing of the WDFW Commission in Olympia. This was the first of at least two Commission hearings reviewing a plan for sweeping fisheries reform on the Columbia River stemming from CCA Oregon’s successful drive to place a gillnet ban measure on the state's November ballot, followed by the Oregon Governor’s release of a plan to remove non-tribal gill nets from the Columbia River mainstem.
CCA testified in support of a WDFW Commission policy to eliminate the use of non-selective gill nets in non-tribal commercial fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River consistent with the proposal in Oregon. A formal panel presentation featured CCA GRC Chairman Ed Wickersham along with other representatives from the recreational fishing community.
Following that testimony, about a dozen more recreational fishers from both SW Washington and the Puget Sound area provided personal perspectives regarding the issue. The testimony often focused on the large economic and social benefits of Columbia River recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries.
A similar number of commercial supporters provided testimony in opposition. Testimony from the gillnetters downplayed or ignored the conservation benefits of the proposed reforms.
Over the next several weeks you are likely to receive e-mails and Action Alerts from CCA on this topic. Please respond to these Action Alerts and help us remove destructive gillnets from the mainstem Columbia River!
Editorial Note: Reforming commercial fisheries in the lower Columbia River is a very complex matter. The September issue of CCAconnect focused entirely on the topic, and included a letter from Oregon’s Governor Kitzhaber. In his letter, the Governor stated:
“My proposal would transition the use of non-tribal gillnets out of the mainstem Columbia River and into off-channel areas while still advancing commercial fisheries important to Oregon’s economy and lower river communities.”
The September issue also included a letter from Brett Brownscombe that discussed the Governor’s proposals in detail. Mr. Brownscombe’s letter included the following:
“Governor Kitzhaber does believe non-tribal gill nets should be phased out of the mainstem lower Columbia River . . .”
The link to the entire September CCA Connect is here.
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Bi-State Commissioners Working Group, October 18th, Portland, OR
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Nello Picinich, CCA WA Executive Director, reports the following:
As a result of Governor Kitzhaber’s plan to eliminate non-tribal commercial gillnets from the Columbia River a workgroup was formed consisting of representatives from both the Washington and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commissions. The primary objective of this group is to finalize a plan before the end of this year.
The second in a series of meetings of this workgroup took place last week. An estimated 200 people attended the bi-state meeting, apparently more than the hosts had anticipated as there was standing room only for the first part of the meeting. Overwhelmingly the majority of folks in attendance were in support of the Governor’s plan and over half the room was wearing stickers provided by CCA saying “It’s time, NO GILLNETS in the Columbia.” Along with concerned recreational anglers other attendees supporting the Governor’s plan included small businesses along with other wildlife and conservation organizations.
Official testimony was provided by CCA Washington GRC Chair Ed Wickersham and speaking on behalf of CCA Oregon was Bruce Polly. Dave Schamp, CCA Oregon Chairman and one of the chief petitioners of Initiative 81, the catalyst for the Governor’s plan, also provided testimony. About a dozen other people testified. The vast majority of those who gave testimony were in support of the Governor’s plan and opposed to the non discriminate practice of gillnetting.
GRC Chairman Ed Wickersham expressed thanks to all CCA members who attended, who brought friends, and who conducted themselves in such a professional manner. He also mentioned the importance of having more thoughtful citizen-based testimony at future meetings and hopes to see another large turnout of CCA members at the upcoming commission (Nov 8) and workgroup (Nov 15) meetings.
Ed’s testimony can be read here.
Bruce’s testimony can be read here.
Dave’s notes from his testimony can be read here. |
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Chapter Notes
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CCA Tri-Cities Helps Collect Hanford Reach Broodstock
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CCA Tri-Cities chapter is working with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to help collect natural origin fall Chinook salmon from the Hanford Reach. These fish will then be used as brood stock for the production of fall Chinook to be incubated, reared and released at the Priest Rapids Hatchery. Anglers on the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River are being asked to catch these fish between October 12th and 21st. The Priest Rapids Hatchery, operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Grant County Public Utility District, is hoping to collect 400 wild fish during that time frame.
In order to help promote this brood stock program the CCA Tri-Cities chapter hosted an informational event during their general membership meeting in order to drum up interest in the program. CCA Tri-Cities also helped secure funding for project materials and equipment from Washington River Protection Solutions, the Hanford Tank Operations Contractor. Loaned Equipment for the project was borrowed from the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Benton Conservation District and Franklin Conservation District.
The wild fish will be collected from anglers at the Vernita Boat Launch and transported to the Priest Rapids Hatchery. Priest Rapids Hatchery will spawn over 3,000 adult fall Chinook this fall (fertilizing and incubating in excess of 7.5 million eggs). If the 400 additional adult fall Chinook are caught that could result in as many as 2.5 million of these eggs having at least one wild origin parent. This would be an improvement over the 5% of the brood stock that is commonly from natural origin fall Chinook at Priest Rapids Hatchery.
In the next edition of the CCA Connect we are hoping to share more details and photographs about this great event. To view a KNDU TV News story, click here. |
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Miscellaneous
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CCA WA Career Opening: Assistant Director
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CCA WA has an immediate opening for an Assistant Director in Vancouver, Washington. This resourceful, enthusiastic, organized, self-starter will assist the Executive Director in overseeing and carrying out the mission, goals and objectives of the Board of Directors.
The primary responsibility of an Assistant Director is to direct local chapter volunteer activities related to chapter meetings, banquet fundraising and chapter events. Regular travel throughout the state is required.
Qualified candidates should possess a business degree and have excellent communication skills. Fundraising experience and enjoyment of fishing and hunting is helpful.
CCA is a non-profit organization comprised of seventeen coastal state chapters spanning the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and dedicated to educating the public on marine conservation. Our organization’s goal is to conserve, promote and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.
If you are looking for a great job and benefits with a great organization, enjoy working with a diverse group of people, have the ability to occasionally work long hours and travel while making a significant impact within the state of Washington you are encouraged to send your comprehensive resume and salary history to: HR@joincca.org. |
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Does your photo have what it takes?
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From now until December 15th, CCA Washington will be accepting photo submissions for our 2013 State banquet artwork. You may have seen the beautiful prints “Red Cheeks” and “Autumn Drift” at your chapter banquets the last 2 years. Local artist Dauna Dean has been creating renditions of CCA member’s photographs to be used at all CCA Washington banquets, and we are now accepting submissions for next year’s print.
If you have taken a photograph that you would like to be considered for the 2013 banquet print, please email a hi-resolution digital copy (.jpeg or .tiff preferred) to fishphotos@ccapnw.org. Please include written verification of your ownership of the photo with permission for CCA to utilize it. If your image is selected, you will be awarded one of the framed print artist renditions of your photo. See above for examples of previous year’s winning images. Send in your photos today!
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"In the Spotlight"
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Ken Chisholm, North Snohomish County Chapter
Member since 2008
Ken is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest. Born in Centralia Ken now lives in Snohomish. He retired from Weyerhaeuser Corporation where he spent 23 years as an instrumentation scientist. During his time at Weyerhaeuser Ken spent one year working on a fish hatchery project in Oregon where he was responsible for developing a sonar system that kept seals away from the mouth of a hatchery outlet in Coos Bay. Ken also spent 4 years serving our country in the Marine Corp.
Where do you like to fish? Primarily the Skykomish and Snohomish Rivers. I also enjoy fishing the Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers with my brother who lives in Longview. My favorite species to fish is steelhead, both summer and winter although if I had to choose I would rather fish in the winter. The more ice the better.
What inspired you to get involved with CCA? Gary Loomis. He is such a dynamic and engaging speaker. When CCA was first getting started I attended five different presentations by Gary. Also, I have been disgusted by gillnets that arbitrarily kill wild salmon and steelhead. It just doesn’t make sense when we are spending millions of dollars to recover these species.
In what areas are you currently involved? Membership is my passion now. I have everything to set-up a CCA booth including a table skirt that I sewed myself. I enjoy talking with people about CCA and getting them excited about joining our organization. I’ve participated in dozens of events at sporting goods stores, sport shows, fishing derbies and different environmental events. I also spend a lot of time with Project Healing Waters; a non-profit that works with veterans. Fishing is a wonderful therapy!
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October 25, 2012
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Meeting Dates and Deadlines
WDFW Commission Meetings
November 8-9, 2012; Olympia, WA
December 14-15, 2012; Olympia, WA
January 11-12, 2013; Olympia, WA
Agenda and Updates here
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Banquet Dates
Fall dates;
Friday, Oct 26 – Sno-King Chapter (Mountlake Terrace)
Capitol City (TBD)
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Feedback and Comments
CCA Washington is interested in hearing from you. Visit our website here to submit comments and questions you may have. Thanks!
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Volunteers Needed!
The work of CCA is dependent upon volunteers. Please volunter to help. No experience is needed. To volunteer in any way, a little or a lot, go to our website here.
Thank you!
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Have you thought about forwarding this edition of the CCA Connect to your friends?
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