Licensed anglers and hunters, especially younger ones, are being urged to stand in the forthcoming Otago Fish and Game Council elections.
Candidate nominations will be called for next Saturday, with a postal and online ballot on November 17.
Council chief executive Niall Watson said now was the time for licensed anglers and hunters to consider taking part, either by voting or by standing as a candidate.
Twelve seats were to be filled.
At least three councillors, Dan Lyders (Outram), Donald Scott (East Taieri) and Gerald Telford (Wanaka), had confirmed they would not stand.
Council chairman John Barlow, of Wanaka, said he would stand and hoped some younger people would also take part, "We need a mix of enthusiasm and experience.
If we got two or three younger councillors, that would be fantastic."
Cr Lyders, who was retiring from the role at age 72, said it was time for "fresh blood and fresh ideas".
Mr Watson said the work of the council included setting fish and game bag limits, season lengths and making recommendations on licence fees and categories.
"Habitat protection, putting the case for healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands, is a major workload."
Identifying and providing for public access to waterways was also key.
The positions were voluntary.
Councillors received no fees to attend the six meetings a year.
"Much of the strength of Fish and Game councils comes from their councillors and their links back into local communities," Mr Watson said.
The election would be managed by Christchurch company electionz.com.
To vote in the election anglers and hunters needed to hold a 2008-09 season fishing licence or a 2009 game licence and must be enrolled on the electoral roll.
