The state Fish and Wildlife Commission met Monday night via telephone conference call and voted to accept Koenings’ resignation, effective Dec. 11.

The commission named Phil Anderson acting director. A long-time department employee, Anderson has been the deputy director for resource policy the last 18 months. He has been the state’s lead negotiator during the annual meetings with tribal fishery managers.

The commission will conduct a nationwide search for a new director beginning in 2009, said chairman Jerry Gutzwiler.

Koenings had been under pressure in recent weeks. Supporters of recreational fishing have viewed Koenings as a director who often favored commercial fishermen during debates over allocation of salmon and Puget Sound crab.

“The rumors have been flying the last couple of weeks regarding change, especially post election,” said Tony Floor, director of fishing affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association and former department employee. “The news was not a surprise to many of us in the recreational fishing industry.

“I have served under 10 directors in my 30-year career with the department. I’ve seen the tide ebb and the tide flood,” Floor added. “I don’t think Jeff will ever be seen as a leader of the recreational fishing community. We’ve been looking for change in leadership in the department for some time.”

Clint Muns, director of resource management of the Puget Sound Anglers, admits Koenings took a lot of blame from recreational anglers. But not all the blame was his, he said.

“I think the issues are more complex than most people think they are,” Muns said. “Until the budget issues are resolved, I don’t think the department is going to have a lot of success accomplishing all it wants to.”

Muns put much of the blame on the Legislature.

“They haven’t provided funding to the department. The Senate is supposed to confirm the commissioners so they can provide the oversight. That hasn’t occurred,” he said.

Only two of the current eight commissioners have been confirmed by the Senate. There also is a vacancy on the commission.

In a news release announcing his resignation, Koenings said he accomplished much of what he set out to do when he became director. Koenings couldn’t be reached for comment.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in creating a comprehensive, gravel-to-gravel system of stewardship for wild salmon, re-building relationships based on mutual trust with tribal resource co-managers, bringing a scientific focus to state fish and wildlife management and improving the department’s business practices,” he said.

Koenings’ nearly 10-year career as director was the longest in the history of the department, which has more than 1,500 employees and a budget of more than $280 million.

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

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