The Department of Fish & Wildlife is soliciting nominations for the Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel (OREAP). The OREAP is a legislatively mandated advisory body that advises the Department’s Director in establishing policy and direction, including the expenditure of fee revenue, for the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP). The purpose of the OREHP is to determine if hatchery-released marine finish can enhance stocks of wild specifies through increased hatchery production of fish and to monitor fisheries to assess hatchery contributions. The OREHP statute, Fish and Game Code (FGC) Section 6590, was recently amended, updating the program’s management processes and expanding the program’s capabilities and public-private partnerships. Currently, the focus of the OREHP’s research is on White Seabass. The composition of the OREAP, as described in the amended FGC Section 6594, is comprised of the following members:
- One nonvoting member representing the Department.
- One nonvoting member representing the California Sea Grant program.
- Two voting members representing the southern California commercial fishingindustry.
- One voting member representing the southern California commercial passengerfishing vessel industry.
- Three voting members representing the southern California sport fishing industry.
- One voting member representing the southern California aquaculture industry.
- One voting member representing the public or nongovernmental organizationinterests, or both.
The Director will appoint all members, as well as a designated alternate member for each voting member of the OREAP. All members must be current residents of California. Each appointment of a member and alternate member will be for a term of three years. There is no limit on the number of terms a member may serve on the OREAP. If you are interested in becoming a member of the OREAP, please email or mail a letter of interest and resume to the OREAP Coordinator, Valerie Taylor, ay Valeria.taylor@wildlife.ca.gov or at 4665 Lampson Ave., Suite C, Los Alamitos, CA 90720. Members will be chosen based on their experience with the OREHP, aquaculture, or sport or commercial fishing, as well as relevant support from stakeholder groups. Please submit your letter and resume by January 29th, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Valerie Taylor.
