OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking additional help marking more than 110 million hatchery salmon and steelhead to identify them as hatchery fish before being released into state waters in 2022.
WDFW’s mass-marking program has played a vital role in salmon management since the mid-1990s. Hatchery fish are marked by clipping their adipose fin while still in the fry stage, before being released to make their way from their home waters to the ocean and back. This marking helps differentiate hatchery fish from natural-origin or “wild” fish, playing a key role in fisheries where anglers may encounter salmon stocks or species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
WDFW is currently hiring paid positions to perform this vital work, but staffing in recent years has been challenging, said Eric Kinne, WDFW’s Hatchery Division manager.
“This work is essential to fishing throughout the state, and critical to salmon conservation efforts,” said Kinne. “We continue working to recruit for these positions, but last year members of the community stepped up in a big way to help us complete this annual effort.”
This work is performed every year for several months in the spring and early summer, at hatchery facilities across Washington. Work is often performed on weekdays and weekends, so there are many opportunities to volunteer. Anyone interested in volunteering at a hatchery can visit WDFW’s website at www.wdfw.wa.gov/get-involved/volunteer.
Anyone interested in applying for a paid marking position can look for positions in their area and apply through Kelly Services. These temporary, full-time positions pay $16.49 per hour with the ability to start immediately, no experience required and training provided.
“We have 11 million more fish to mark this year than last year, which is great news but also means we need even more help in 2022,” Kinne said.
WDFW welcomes public back
OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will reopen most of its facilities to the public starting on March 21.
“When we closed our offices and hatcheries to the public in March 2020 due to the pandemic, I hoped we’d reopen a few months later — obviously that didn’t happen,” said Kelly Susewind, WDFW Director. “Here we are two years later, having adapted to provide our services virtually, and we are so excited to be able to serve you in person again.”
This opening includes WDFW’s headquarters at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia and some fish hatcheries and regional office spaces. Customer service staff in the Coastal regional office in Montesano will be available for walk-in service 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. WDFW staff will continue to wear masks while providing customer service, and the public is encouraged to wear a mask.
The Port Townsend District Office will be open by appointment only. People can call 360-302-3030 to schedule an appointment.
