Chuck Walters
Board of Advisors
 

Retired Fishery Biologist
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Seattle (Sand Point) Washington

1985-2002 United States Coordinator for the U.S./Canada Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC).
Coordinated all activities of the U.S. Section of the PSC, created by international treaty in 1984 to allocate Pacific Coast Salmon resources between the United States and Canada. U.S. Section consisted of the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho; 24 Treaty Indian tribes, as well as the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Interior. Was the National Correspondent and formal contact with Canadian counterpart on all matters. Developed U.S. Section budgets and represented the U.S. Government on international budgets and policy for the International Commission in Vancouver B.C. Participated in Congressional briefings/ testimony annually. Maintained a secure and neutral U.S. Secretariat during often contentious U.S. north/south and U.S./Canadian negotiations. Staff was responsible for salaries and travel for 120 U.S. travelers. Annually arranged and staffed 3 large and 25-40 smaller bilateral and U.S. Commission/technical committee meetings in the U.S. and Canada.

Education

B.S. Oregon State University General Science (Oceanography) 1963

M.S. University of Hawaii Marine Zoology 1966

3 years pre-doctoral research and Fellow in Marine Zoology University of Hawaii 1966-1969

Numerous resource management, manager/supervisory, Alternate Dispute Resolution and computer skills training courses/programs.

Professional Experience

1960 (summer) Engineering Aid US Forest Service, Ketchikan Alaska- Survey by boat.

1961 (summer) OSU Dept. Chemical Oceanography, RV Acona shipboard chemical analysis, out of Newport, Oregon.

1962 (summer) Commercial salmon fisherman (purse seine) Southeast Alaska and Puget Sound.

1963 (summer) Fire fighter BLM, SE Oregon (Lakeview).

1963-64 (half-time) Teaching Assistant General Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu.

1964-67 (half-time) Research Assistant Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, HI

Leader of numerous field trips to collect poisonous fish and marine life in French Polynesia, Tuamotu Islands, American and Western Samoa and Johnston Island. Constructed and operated portable air lift dredge for toxic materials for NIH, NSF, U.S. Army.

1966 Placed and manned a small underwater habitat for the Oceanic Institute, Waimanalo, HI. Part of 8 member team of divers that placed all anchors, habitat, converted a tug to a support ship and operated all systems for the habitat for several days. Trained dolphins were released and used in the open water at the habitat for the first time in Hawaii.

1967-69 Marine Biologist with the French Medical Research Institute in Papeete, Tahiti. Research on poisonous fish in Papara lagoon, a remote location 40 kilometers from Papeete, Tahiti. Built house, compressor shack and boat moorage. Dove alone except for deep offshore areas, reserved for once a month when the Pan Am pilot came through. Averaged 4 hours diving per day. Operated and maintained all equipment, including truck, compressor, tanks, regulators and boat

1969-1975 Senior Fishery Biologist with Fish Commission of Oregon. Initially in marine research at Newport, with my own dory and pickup, documenting herring stocks, clam beds and marine sport fishing for the entire Oregon coast. State certified for open water diving and up to 125 feet. Promoted to the Headquarters Office in Portland where in charge of statewide waterway construction permits and land and water use planning.

1975- 83 Regional and National Coordinator for Coastal Zone Management for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in Portland, Oregon and Washington D.C. Responsible for NMFS policy review of all Pacific Northwest Corps of Engineers/EPA Section 10/404 waterway construction permits. Certified NOAA diver.

1983-84 U.S. Department of Commerce Legislative Fellow. Selected for U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, National Ocean Policy Study (NOPS). Staffed hearings, advised Senators, wrote legislation, reviewed and marked up federal agency budgets, etc.

1984-85 U.S. Department of State (DOS) Pacific and North Pacific Fisheries Officer. Represented DOS on North Pacific and Pacific fishery management councils, recommended fish allocation for all foreign nations fishing in the U.S. 200 mile zone (off Oregon, Washington and Alaska). Staffed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) in negotiations with Japan and Taiwan to move them off our high seas fish resources, particularly salmon. (Two trips to Japan as staff to DAS). Successfully assisted U.S. Negotiator Ted Kronmiller in 10 year old Pacific Salmon Treaty negotiations with Canada, resulting in the creation of the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC). Developed DOS domestic and international policy and budgets to implement/operate the PSC.

Awards, Associations

1970. Jaycee president- Newport, Oregon.

1976. American Fisheries Society president. Oregon Chapter.

Appointed to numerous state, local and federal commissions, task forces, and committees.

1998. Personal commendation by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for providing technical assistance to U.S. and Canadian Special Negotiators in Pacific Salmon Treaty renegotiations.

February 2002. “Special Recognition Award” and plaque from Governor Knowles (Alaska) “ in recognition of the many hours of hard work, leadership, dedication and support of the fishermen and communities of coastal Alaska during your tenure with the Pacific Salmon Commission.”

February 2002. Special plaque and award from the International Pacific Salmon Commission (Vancouver B.C.) as National Correspondent, “in appreciation for your many years of service to the Pacific Salmon Commission and your commitment to the Pacific Coast Salmon resource.”