People active in the sportfishing community have a few more weeks to apply for membership on a committee that oversees the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement program.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will now accept nominations to the 10-member Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Oversight Committee through Nov. 16. The original application deadline was Oct. 15.

Ryan Lothrop, WDFW’s Puget Sound recreational salmon manager, said people who have already applied to the committee do not need to re-submit their application.

“We are considering several qualified candidates who have already applied,” Lothrop said. “But we want to allow additional time for nominations to help ensure the committee includes a broad representation of the sportfishing community.”

The committee was created in 2003 by the Legislature to advise WDFW’s director on all aspects of the fisheries enhancement program. Key responsibilities of the program are to restore and enhance recreational fisheries in Puget Sound, ensure the productivity of sustainable populations of salmon and marine bottomfish, and promote recreational fishing opportunities.

Ten volunteers will be appointed to the oversight committee. Members serve two-year terms and may be re-appointed. The next term begins in January and expires in December 2016.

The committee meets several times a year to review projects and provide guidance on funding activities related to the enhancement program.

To qualify, applicants should be closely linked and maintain strong communication with the recreational fishing community, have an understanding of salmon and bottomfish fisheries in Puget Sound and be able to attend the meetings.

Committee members do not receive direct compensation for their work.

Interested individuals do not have to be affiliated with an organized group. Individuals must submit a letter of interest and a resume with the following information:

– Name, address, telephone number and email address.

– Relevant experience and reasons for wanting to serve as a member of the enhancement group.

– Effectiveness in communication, including outreach and promotion.

Interested individuals should submit their application to Ryan Lothrop at ryan.lothrop@dfw.wa.gov or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Attn: Ryan Lothrop, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia WA, 98501-1091.