Director’s Bulletin | Sept/Oct 2024
News and updates from WDFW Director Kelly Susewind
I love seafood. Growing up in Grays Harbor County, I was raised on a steady diet of salmon, halibut, crab, and razor clams. Whether celebrating a holiday with friends and family over a Dungeness crab feast or taking a salmon salad sandwich with me to school, locally caught seafood was regularly on the menu at the Susewind household.
While not every Washingtonian has an interest in harvesting their own seafood, thankfully, this sustainably-managed, nutritious resource is widely available in markets and restaurants statewide.
You can find places to buy Washington seafood on WDFW’s website.
October is National Seafood Month, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has several important roles in ensuring Washington’s seafood is sustainably managed. We conduct a variety of surveys and apply fisheries science to craft seasons, and we manage hatcheries to produce fish for commercial, tribal, and recreational opportunities. We engage in habitat protection and restoration in freshwater, estuaries, and the marine environments to ensure the food web is preserved and fish have healthy habitats to thrive. And we issue more than 4,000 commercial fishing licenses annually and enforce regulations to limit bad actors that may be seeking an unlawful competitive edge.
Consuming local seafood is also a good way to support Washington state’s economy. Besides the obvious financial benefits to the harvesters and processors, commercial fisheries rely on infrastructure and ports to land and process their catch and moor, fuel, and service their vessels; they need a steady supply of ice and cold storage; and they need transportation services to move the processed seafood product from the boat to your market or restaurant. Washington’s commercial seafood industry puts 87,896 people to work in living-wage jobs and provides a $11.3 billion boost in sales to the economy, making Washington the fourth-largest seafood industry in the country.
I hope you’ll join me in enjoying Washington’s seafood, whether hauled in by your own crab pot or fishing rod, or bought at your favorite restaurant or local market. And as you do so, know that you can purchase and consume with confidence that it is sustainably managed — thanks in large part to the hard-working staff at WDFW.
Sincerely,
Kelly Susewind, Director
National Hunting and Fishing Day recap
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hosted its annual National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Cowlitz Public Shooting Range in Castle Rock. Over 150 participants attended, with families from across the region enjoying a day packed with outdoor activities and conservation education.
Youth attendees took part in hands-on experiences such as trout fishing, target shooting, and arts and crafts. WDFW and partner booths provided valuable insights into wildlife management, hunter safety, and the important contributions hunters and anglers make to conservation.
Youth participants who attended received reusable drawstring bags filled with safety items and had the chance to win door prizes generously donated by local and national businesses. Throughout the event, WDFW instructors, staff, and volunteers, supported by master hunters and range safety officers, guided attendees through the activities, sharing their knowledge and expertise.
National Hunting and Fishing Day was originally created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate the conservation successes of hunters and anglers. Congress formalized the day in 1971, and it was signed into law by President Nixon in 1972. In 2019, Gov. Jay Inslee proclaimed Sept. 28 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Washington.
Through events like this, WDFW continues to inspire a new generation to protect and preserve Washington’s fish, wildlife, and natural spaces for future generations. For more information, visit WDFW’s National Hunting and Fishing Day webpage.
Razor clam digs underway as 2024–25 season begins on the coast
The Washington Coast offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, including in the fall and winter. One unique opportunity in WDFW’s Coastal Region is razor clam digging. Our next approved dig series is Nov. 1–5 on four coastal beaches, learn more in our news release.
Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide. Additional dates are tentatively scheduled through December, pending Washington Department of Health testing for marine toxins.
Remember: In fall beaches still have a lot of sand built up, which can make driving hazardous. Please drive carefully on the uppermost part of the hard-packed sand, steer clear of wet sand, and avoid creating congestion leading on and off the beach by parking on the approaches.
Each summer, WDFW biologists and scientific technicians, in collaboration with Quinault Indian Nation and the Hoh Tribe, conduct annual razor clam stock assessments. Stock assessments provide data on razor clam quantities and sizes to determine population health and balance recreational harvest opportunities with protecting the resource. Learn more in our blog post.
Happy digging!
Public invited to participate in survey on 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan revision
In August 2024, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hosted a public webinar to discuss the update to the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). This public meeting kicked off a year-long public engagement process to revise and update Washington’s SWAP. In the meeting, WDFW shared an update on the timeline for the 2025 SWAP revision and opportunities for public participation during the year-long process.
WDFW staff presented general information on the SWAP, its purpose in conservation in Washington and the U.S., and an overview of the revision.
The public can now participate in a scoping survey that will be open until Nov. 15, 2024. You may also leave a general comment at (855) 925–2801 using project code 10616. General comments will be incorporated into our public process.
Hunting seasons underway; hunting prospects offer detailed information
Fall marks the start of hunting seasons for big game, waterfowl, and upland game birds in many areas of Washington. In September, WDFW released its annual hunting prospects, which provide guidance and hunting information for each district to help hunters have a successful season.
WDFW’s district wildlife biologists develop hunting prospects using knowledge from local sources and their personal observations. These popular reports contain in-depth information that can help both new and experienced hunters, including past success, weather, fire, and changing land ownership policies.
Washington has a wide diversity of habitats and game populations. We encourage you to review hunting prospects for districts within and outside of where you typically hunt. You may gain insights into new locations and new species to hunt.
Hunters can also use the WDFW Hunt Planner web map, an interactive web tool that helps hunters find permit and general season hunts based on location, date, weapon choice, and more. Learn more about the 2024–25 hunting prospects in WDFW’s news release.
Interested in getting started hunting? There’s still time with late-season big game hunts in November and December, and opportunities for waterfowl and upland birds into January. Find tips for new hunters in our blog post and on our website. Resources for hunters of all levels as part of our hunting highlights series.
Reminders about chronic wasting disease rules
With deer, elk, and moose hunting seasons underway, WDFW reminds hunters that there are some new rules to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) for people who hunt in WDFW’s Region 1. Hunters that harvest deer, elk, or moose in that area cannot transport whole carcasses to other parts of the state and animals harvested in game management units 124, 127, or 130 must have them tested for CWD. Everything to know about CWD, for both hunters and those who don’t hunt, is on WDFW’s chronic wasting disease web page.
Additionally, WDFW Police reminds people hunting out of state about game meat import rules into Washington. The importation rule, effective since July 2022, applies to all states and countries outside Washington — not just those with confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) cases. Learn more in our news release. “Our officers have already seized several animals this season that otherwise could have been lawfully imported to prevent further risk to our state,” said Deputy Chief Paul Golden. “We do not want to seize any more”. WDFW Police have also shared tips on social media for how to abide by the import rules.
Celebrating National Seafood Month in October
We kicked off National Seafood Month on Oct. 4 with local food writer Nancy Leson, a regular contributor to the WDFW blog, who offered the latest scoop on Pacific Northwest pink shrimp! Leson uncovered pro tips and secrets on how to best buy, and prepare abundant, sustainably caught Pacific Northwest pink shrimp as well as her favorite recipes.
To finish off the month, we posted a razor clam blog on Oct. 30 with a razor clam po boy sandwich recipe by chef Taichi Kitamura, owner of Sushi Kappo on Eastlake in Seattle. We’ve also shared messaging from our partners Washington Sea Grant and Westport Fresh Catch.
EGC long-term management plan published, more than one million invasive crabs caught
In September, WDFW published a new six-year management plan for invasive European green crabs (EGC). This harmful shore crab species is a threat to native shellfish, estuary habitats, eelgrass, aquaculture industries, and other tribal, cultural, and environmental values. The European Green Crab 2025–2031 Management Plan for Washington represents a year-long collaboration with tribal governments, U.S. federal agencies, state agencies including the Department of Natural Resources, shellfish growers, public universities, and additional partners. WDFW staff and partners also presented the new plan and provided management updates to local leaders and more than 30 attendees during an open house event in South Bend on Willapa Bay.
WDFW, tribes, shellfish growers, and other agencies and partners have now removed more than 1 million green crabs from Washington waters since Gov. Inslee issued a state emergency order in January 2022. More than 450,000 EGC have been removed in 2024, most from Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor on the southern Washington coast. More information is available on our EGC online hub and public reporting webpage.
Coastal steelhead pre-season planning and Puget Sound updates
Steelhead, a sea-going rainbow trout that can exceed 30 pounds, is the Washington State Fish and an icon of the Pacific Northwest that has been a source of important cultural and economic benefits throughout the region’s history. Steelhead are important for recreational anglers, tribal co-managers, river ecosystems, and local economies.
For this iconic but vulnerable fish species, WDFW’s mission is to conserve steelhead while providing sustainable fishing opportunities. We represent a diverse constituency, ranging from those wanting stronger conservation measures to those asking for more opportunity, and we must balance those two components of our mission.
Part of our coastal steelhead management process is soliciting public input, including through virtual town hall meetings. WDFW’s first virtual town hall meeting on the 2024–25 coastal steelhead season was held Oct. 23. Fish Program staff shared information on steelhead management, abundance, 2024–25 season forecasts, and a 2023–24 season summary. They presented potential fisheries and accepted fishery proposals from the public. The town hall also included preliminary data from a study in the Hoh River to determine wild steelhead impacts from fishing from a floating device.
Our second virtual town hall meeting is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 13, when we’ll share agreed-to fishery plans with the public. In late November, we’ll finalize those management plans with tribal co-managers and then announce the 2024–25 season and regulations. Find more information on WDFW’s coastal steelhead management webpage.
This month, we also published a comprehensive update on Puget Sound steelhead conservation, management, and fisheries, available in full online and highlighted in a new blog post.
Skagit Wildlife Area reopened, estuary restoration project completed
October saw several milestones for the Skagit Wildlife Area in the North Puget Sound Region, including reopening the Skagit Headquarters Unit. The area — also known as Wiley Slough — is popular for water access, waterfowl hunting, bird watching, and walking and has been closed for construction since 2023. The renovated area features a new concrete boat launch offering access to the South Fork Skagit River and Skagit Bay, as well as an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible loading ramp and reconfigured parking area. There is also a hand-launch area for kayaks and canoes, elevated dikes with graded, ADA-accessible walking trails, an updated wildlife-viewing blind, and replanted areas to restore marsh and riparian habitat.
The nearby Milltown Island Unit also reopened to the public following extensive estuary restoration work to improve fish and wildlife habitat. More information on estuary restoration projects on WDFW-managed lands is available on this webpage. Information and tips for hunting can be found in the Skagit Wildlife Area Waterfowl Hunting Guide (PDF).
New Regional Engagement Committees will provide local input
WDFW is seeking members for new Regional Engagement Committees (RECs) in the North Central (Region 2) and North Puget Sound (Region 4) regions. These committees will represent local interests and provide input on regional conservation efforts. Learn more in our news release (También disponible en español) and application form.
The public and organizational representatives interested in fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation as well as fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, or other fish and wildlife-related outdoor recreation are public and organizational representatives interested in fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation as well as fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, or other fish and wildlife-related outdoor recreation are encouraged to apply by Dec. 2.
Consistent with WDFW’s 25-Year Strategic Plan, “Engage communities through recreation and stewardship” section, the Department is establishing RECs to represent the diversity of local interests and incorporate those perspectives in WDFW’s regional conservation efforts and decision making. Following the pilot effort in these regions, WDFW anticipates establishing RECs in the Department’s other four regions during the 2025–2027 biennium.
The intention of RECs is not to make policy decisions or duplicate the work of other advisory groups, but to provide a space for Regional Management Teams (RMTs) to discuss priority topics, build relationships, and gather input from those who are most vested in the region’s fish, wildlife, and habitat topics. The staff leader and executive sponsor of each REC will be the regional director, with support and facilitation by the regional communications lead. Other RMT members are encouraged to participate, and headquarters CAPE staff will be available to support coordination across regions.
WDFW resolves Mitchell Act litigation
In Sept. 2024, WDFW settled federal litigation with Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler alleging some WDFW hatchery programs were operated inconsistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The litigation focused on federally-funded Mitchell Act and Select Area Fishery Enhancement (SAFE) hatchery programs in the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam.
The parties identified five general areas of agreement:
- Protection for WDFW from additional litigation by the Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler.
- Actions by WDFW to increase the information availability for WDFW-operated Mitchell Act programs.
- Requests to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to reserve for conservation or mark-selective fisheries any impacts resulting from Washington’s buyback program for non-tribal gillnet fishing licenses and to adjust the cap on authorizations allowed for alternative fishing gear.
- Reimbursement of attorney’s and retained expert fees accrued by the Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler.
- Modification or termination of three hatchery programs to align with the proposed actions likely to be included in a new evaluation of the Mitchell Act and SAFE programs that National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intends to complete by the end of the year.
The three impacted hatchery programs are the winter steelhead hatchery program on the Washougal River (likely to close late 2024), the Deep River net pen coho salmon program (likely to close spring 2025), and the Kalama River/Fallert Creek Chinook hatchery program (likely to release fewer hatchery fish in 2025). It’s important to note that while these specific programs are being affected, the hatchery facilities will remain open, and other programs will continue to operate. WDFW plans to mitigate the changes with new programs and will share new information about WDFW-operated Mitchell Act programs as it becomes available.
