The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking qualified applicants to fill two soon to be vacant positions on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement (R and E) Program Board.

One position represents sport fishing interests and the other represents gill netting interests on the R and E Board. Interested individuals must apply by Sept. 19, 2018 and can use the application found at https://bit.ly/2onMHMr

The ideal Sport Fishing Representative candidate will be a resident of Oregon that is able to effectively represent the sport anglers of Oregon. Desirable attributes include involvement with local fishing groups or fish management, previous experience with boards or commissions, and knowledge of, or involvement with, the diverse sport fisheries across Oregon.

The ideal Gillnet Representative candidate will be a resident of Oregon that is able to effectively represent individuals involved in Oregon’s gillnet fisheries. Desirable attributes include involvement with local fishing groups or fish management, previous experience with boards or commissions, and knowledge of, or involvement with, the gillnet fisheries in Oregon.

The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 to help fund fish restoration and enhancement projects throughout the state. The program is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees and is overseen by a seven-member citizen board made up of three sport fishing representatives, three representatives from the troll, gillnet and seafood processing industries and one public-at-large representative. The Board reviews grant proposals from various organizations and agencies and recommends projects for funding.

Board members, who are appointed to four-year terms by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, meet three or 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. Board members are volunteers; however, Board-related business expenses are reimbursed.

For more information and to obtain an application, go to the R and E Program website at www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/RE/or by contacting Debbi Farrell, at (503) 947-6211 or Debbi.L.Farrell@state.or.us.