Friday, March 15, 2013

Governor likes Fields, Long for fish council

Gov. Sean Parnell is backing Duncan Fields to continue on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and favors Wasilla resident David Long to replace two-term member Sam Cotten.

Here's an abbreviated version of the press release from Juneau:

March 15, 2013

Gov. Parnell makes nominations to fishery council

JUNEAU — Gov. Sean Parnell today nominated Duncan Fields and David Long for consideration by the U.S. secretary of commerce for service on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The governor also named Stefanie Moreland and John Moller as alternate nominees.

"The fisheries resources in the North Pacific are of vital importance to Alaskans and Alaskan communities, and these nominees are experienced in the harvest, conservation and management of fisheries resources," Parnell said. "Mr. Fields and Mr. Long will effectively press forward on issues that are important to Alaska."

Fields, of Kodiak, is completing his second term on the NPFMC. He has been an active fisherman since 1960. Fields serves as a technical adviser for the Gulf of Alaska Coastal Communities Coalition, the vice president of natural resource and community development for Old Harbor Native Corp., and a natural resource consultant for Shoreside Consulting. He served on the NPFMC Advisory Panel from 2001 through 2007 and is a member of the executive committee of United Fishermen of Alaska. He earned a bachelor's degree with a comprehensive social science major from Cedarville College and a law degree from the University of Oregon.

Long, of Wasilla, has acquired extensive and diverse experience over the past 40 years through active participation in fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Bristol Bay and the Sea of Okhotsk in a variety of gear types and fisheries. He is a licensed master of oceans, has mastered vessels with oceanographic research and development programs, and has served the Alaska State Troopers as a vessel supervisor. He also has participated in the NPFMC process by providing testimony and information. Long also is an avid sportfisherman.

Moreland, of Juneau, is currently a special assistant in the governor's office, serving as a policy adviser on fisheries, wildlife, oceans and Arctic issues. She formerly served as a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Moller was born in Unalaska and resides in Juneau, where he serves as a senior rural affairs adviser and special assistant in the governor's office. He served for 13 years as general manager of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association.

The NPFMC is one of eight regional councils dedicated to oversight of the nation’s fisheries.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Firmly in the pockets of Icicle. Duncan is a stooge for his family business and the crumbling Icicle. Good work, if you can get it!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to see Sam get the boot. He did a good job and was always open to talking about things.

Anonymous said...

What's up with Stefanie and John? just trying to make the first picks the only picks? We certainly don't need another administration stooge on the Council...Campbell and Dersham are enough already.

Anonymous said...

Long has been involved in Alaskan fisheries for the greater majority of his life. He's a great fisherman and an even greater captain. He has been dedicated to his community by actively participating in local political and social issues. He also recently started his own shoe store in Wasilla. He's involved with Alaskan communities. He's a good guy. And is easy to talk to. An asset to Alaska. I'm glad to see him taking on this position.

Anonymous said...

These two recommended leaders sounds good on paper and through the comments of the bloggers who know them - will they help save the King Salmon from slaughter in the sea as Pollock Fishery ByCatch is the real test.

So far the political connections of the council members have not been very empathic to the poor people of Western Alaska who are losing a thousands year old Salmon Culture.

Anonymous said...

It's a Dog eat Dog world out here in Western Bush Alaska since the CDQs were formed by Congress twenty-one years ago.

No longer are the youngish leaders leading around their elder spokespeople to cry about the lack of salmon for their subsistence needs. Leaving them and the people behind the goal line is so much more self-productive.

Anonymous said...

Also of note, Long has always been highly concerned with maintaining sea life populations and promoting awareness of the unethical and economic dangers of over-fishing. As a man of the sea, he is sensitive to these issues and is protective of the ecological niches for which his livelihood owes much thanks. He is very much a thoughtful, intellectual. Yet also a down-to-earth, real, laid back outdoorsman type. The industry needs more involvement by such well-rounded, multidimensional types such as he. I look forward to the future.

Anonymous said...

Uh, does this mean Fields fished commercially when he was 5 years old?