The Campaign
Wright Public Affairs led the Stop Gillnets Coalition through the process of drafting, polling, signature gathering and eventually qualifying the Gillnet ban measure for the ballot.
After qualifying the measure we worked closely with the Governor's office to forge a compromise that met our client's policy goals while avoiding a costly battle at the ballot.
The Highlights
- Gathered over 140,000 signatures to qualify for the November 2012 ballot.
- Crafted a historic compromise led by Governor Kitzhaber ending nearly a century of conflict around this issue on the lower Columbia.
- Led a coalition of sportsfishing interests to a first ever victory on commercial gilnetting in Oregon and Washington history.
The Numbers
- 140,000 signatures gathered in 6 weeks
- 5-3 Oregon Department of Wildlife Commission adopts the compromise plan crafted by the Stop Gillnets Now coalition.
- 6-0 Washington State Ecology Commission adopts the compromise plan crafted by the Stop Gillnets Now coalition.