Cedar carving of Elwha of tear salmon by sculptor Al Adams before bronze casting

In what has previously been an individual honor, the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center (PNWSC) recently paid tribute to more than one individual in its second annual induction into the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame.

This honor is meant to celebrate those individuals who have demonstrated over time, actions that have inspired and guided a passion for the preservation and recovery of abundant and diverse Wild Salmon populations throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and British Columbia.

The criteria to qualify for the honor is for individuals to demonstarte a passion for wild salmon; enhance public knowldedge and appreciation of wild salmon; reate a tangable, measurabe outcome such as a book, artwork, event or other significant project and to foster a positive influence in his or her profession for the community.

The selection committee for the 2004 award included: Congressman Norm Dicks, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Jeff Koenings, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Chair Billy Frank Jr., and Chairman Bill Ruckelshaus of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

“The Wild Salmon Hall of Fame honors one new inductee annually, with nominations in the future to be accepted from across the entire Pacific Northwest. Chosen from numerous nominations sent in from both Washington and Oregon, each of the final nominees for this prestigious award have demonstrated extraordinary careers working in salmon recovery efforts and fostering a passion for Wild Salmon — both professionally and personally,” said Chris Daniel, outreach coordinator for the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, who helped organize the event.

But this year, thngs were different. The selection committee brought forth five nominees for the honor according to Al Adams, a founding member of the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (HCSEG) and its former president and executive director. Adams also served as the Salmon Center’s first president and as president of the board last year.

“Each of the five nominees were so fully qualified according to the criteria, that the selection committee felt that it was absolutely necessary that all five be honored,” he stated with obvious enthusiasm.

Inducted into the Wild Salmon Hall of Fame were Suquamish Tribe Salmon Recovery coordinator and Fisheries Biologist Paul Dorn, retired WDFW Fisheries Culturist Jerry Manuel, late WDFW Fisheries Biologist Howard Fuss, Director of Oregon Stewardship Jim Hutchins, and artists, author and community activists for Wild Salmon Tom Jay and Sara Mall Johani.

The inductees were honored on Sept. 25 at a celebration held at the Alderbrook Resort on the Hood Canal. The Master of Ceremonies, former Washington State Secretary of State Ralph Munro, presented their awards to the entire group.

Nominees were solicited from over 300 organizations including; Washington RFEGs (Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups), Oregon STEP (Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program), conservation groups, federal, state, regional, local and Tribal governments, agencies and colleges.

The PNWSC is slated to be in operation by the summer of 2007. For more information, call the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group at 360-275-3575 to arrange a presentation to your group or community.

The Amy Burnett Gallery, in the heart of downtown Bremerton, will present a gala fund-raising event to kick off the PNWSC project on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“An Elegant Evening with Salmon” will feature art, music, wine-tasting, prizes, speakers and a special smoked salmon competition with celebrity judges Congressman Norm Dicks, Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman and Bremerton Yacht Club Commodore Ron Perryman. Sculptor Al Adams and painter Amy Burnett will exhibit their latest salmon creations.

$15 tickets are available through Amy Burnett Gallery. For more information or event details call (360) 373-3187 or (360) 275-3575. The neighboring 8000 sq. ft Naval Museum will open its doors for those wishing to arrive early and tour the facilities.