Gov. Gregoire appoints Bainbridge Island biologist to state's Fish and Wildlife Commission

For Immediate Release: November 4, 2005

OLYMPIA - Nov. 4, 2005 - Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Dr. Conrad �Connie� Mahnken, a retired fisheries biologist, to Washington State�s Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC). Dr. Mahnken�s term begins Nov. 4, 2005 and ends Dec. 31, 2010.

�Connie Mahnken shares my strong commitment to the sustainable use of our natural resources,� said Gov. Gregoire. �The direction set by FWC effects the economic stability of many important industries, as well as the environmental quality of our state. We depend on our commissioners to look out for the needs and assure the future of all of our natural heritage, as well as the species that we seek to conserve for long-term hunting and fishing opportunities.�

A Bainbridge Island resident, Dr. Mahnken brings rich and varied experience to the commission, which is entrusted with establishing policy and direction for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retired after 40 years of service to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), he was director of the NMFS Manchester Laboratory and was the NMFS National Aquaculture Coordinator. At the time of his retirement in 2004, he was NOAA Aquaculture Matrix Manager.

He currently serves on the congressionally funded Hatchery Scientific Review Group intended to reform Washington State salmon hatcheries. Dr. Mahnken�s training is in oceanography and fisheries.

�Since early boyhood in the Pacific Northwest, I have been vitally interested in natural resource management and have come to recognize both the economic and recreational value of our fish and wildlife,� he said.

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