Bonifer to lead fisheries program
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 6th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Department of Natural Resources has hired Jerimiah Bonifer, a fisheries biologist, to become the program manager. His first day will be April 17.
“Jerimiah has 15 years of dedicated and progressive work history with CTUIR DNR Fisheries and takes seriously the DNR’s responsibility to serve the CTUIR community,” DNR Director Eric Quaempts said. “Jerimiah’s hard work, dedication to fisheries resources, and perseverance have guided him throughout his career, and I look forward to his energy and continued success as the DNR fisheries program manager.”
Bonifer is an enrolled member of CTUIR and is an active tribal hunter and angler. He received a bachelor’s of science degree in fisheries and wildlife science and a master’s certificate in fisheries management from Oregon State University. His current work at DNR consists mainly of monitoring salmon and steelhead populations and he also participates in a variety of collaborative working groups involving local, state, federal, and tribal entities.
In his new role, he will lead the program’s efforts around harvest, monitoring, habitat acquisition, and restoration projects. He will also oversee fish propagation and rearing facilities through the tribes’ areas of rights and interest in the Columbia River Basin. He will manage a budget of around $27 million and an estimated 75 full time employees.
“I’m fortunate to be in a career field I wanted my whole life,” Bonifer, who grew up fishing on the Umatilla River and its tributaries said. “I have a family history tied to the lands of the CTUIR, where my family and I have hunted, fished, and gathered First Foods for generations.”
