Regnart rises to director of commercial fisheries

Here's a press release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Feb. 17, 2011

Jeff Regnart appointed commercial fisheries director

JUNEAU — Commissioner Cora Campbell today announced the appointment of Jeff Regnart as director of the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Regnart will step into his new role today from his regional Central Region supervisor position.

"Jeff comes to this position with outstanding qualifications," Campbell said. "He combines a wealth of knowledge and experience, from commercial fishing and sportfish guiding while attending college in the '80s to recently overseeing some of the most complex and competitive fisheries in the state."

During his career, Regnart has held diverse and increasingly complex positions within the department, in addition to serving on numerous fisheries panels and forums.

In his recent position as supervisor for the Central Region, he was responsible for program administration and supervision of all management and research activities including those for Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound.

Before being appointed regional supervisor in 2003, Regnart worked his way up from biologist I in 1990 to biologist IV in 1998. He started his career with the department as a fish and wildlife technician in 1984.

"I'm humbled and honored to be appointed director and look forward to working with commercial fisheries staff and department leadership to carry out our mission," Regnart said.

Regnart attained a bachelor's degree in biology from Western Washington University and attended Humboldt State University where he completed his master's in fishery management.

The Division of Commercial Fisheries manages commercial, subsistence and personal use fisheries. The division's core services include stock assessment and applied research, harvest management, aquaculture permitting and information services and statistics.