Now if we could just replace Jensen, Boris Karloffs little brother, with someone that is actually unbiased and willing to promote the correct actions. What a cold hearted unapproachable...
Jensen has a great deal of experience that he should share with the other members of the board. Problem is, he doesn't. His votes are as predictable as the sun rising in the east. So from my perspective he does not help my commercial interest, simply because no one pays any attention to him. He is likable but he does nothing to persuade other members to his viewpoint. Maybe next term we can put him out to pasture and get someone whose points of view are respected. IMHO
Kluberton looks like he has gone over to the commercial side. Ask the sports guys and you will get a new perspective. He is no longer their guy and the balance of the Board is finally in our favor. Go Tom and many thanks to the Governor. The KRSA dynasty is over and they are finally impotent. The likes of Penny are no threat, just a loud voice with nothing to back it up.
Kluberton reappointment was contingent upon voting against making Pacific Herring a FORAGE FISH. Parnell had a meeting with the processors who were represented by a Silver Bay stock holder and the president of the Herring Coalition who is also the head of NSRAA. The pressure came from the top. Instead of Kluberton listening to the science he felt that being appointed again was more important then saving the Sitka Sound Pacific herring. The Modest Catch" was due to lack of herring.
Nonsense. Pure nonsense. The Governor doesn't TELL anyone how to vote.
Kluberton probably looked at the Sitka Herring Abundance graph, which, even after a drop in 2012, has grown by around ten fold in the 40 years of the fishery's existence.
There was testimony at the Anchorage BOF meeting last week that herring have gone the way of the buffalo. Nonsense. There are areas and there was a time, long ago, where we weren't as conservative and didn't understand the complexity of herring fisheries management as well and we got burned and probably had some other, non-fishing related issues, i.e. PWS, Exxon, etc. But put a graph of Sitka up on the wall and look at the last 40 years. No one could do that and maintain that Sitka herring are in decline.
Herring aren't managed on the 'do not fish' forage list, but they're sure as heck managed as a specie that gives alot to other fisheries resources and is intricately involved in the marine ecosystem.
Otherwise why would the ADFG have such a conservative management approach.
There are 3 types of herring fisheries in Alaska right now.
1. The zero percent harvest rate fishery. Unless a fishery has an incredible biomass, there is no fishery.
2. 10% harvest rate. For those herring stocks that have alot of herring but not an outstanding biomass, we harvest at 10%.
3. 20%. Sitka. Togiak. For those herring stocks that are at historical highs.... and for those of you herring fishery haters, look at the numbers, the numbers don't lie.... we have up to a 20% harvest rate.
The very reason why we have such low harvest rates are two-fold.
First and most importantly, the state recognizes the incredible value of keeping a surplus biomass of herring around for the marine ecosystem and for their value in the food chain. Sitka Sac Roe could biologically handle a substantially higher harvest rate, but ADFG limits it to ensure that 80% of the population is swimming around all year.
Recognize that this 80% is 8 times more herring than Sitka had prior to the institution of the commercial fishery. If you think the commercial fishery in Sitka has had an effect on the herring population, it could only have been to drive the population up.
And secondly, the 0-10-20 harvest rate model also builds in risk and uncertainty. Herring aren't the easiest critters to manage, whatwith the cumbersome dive surveys and aerial assessment to determine spawning biomass.
Kluberton is doing what Board of Fish members should all be doing....listening to the facts, investigating the data and coming to a conclusion based upon the science.
Both Webster and Kluberton have done a heck of a job and have given the state great service in their respective positions.
And btw, neither is a sport or commercial or personal use or subsistence guy.
They are Alaskans. They are doing the right thing for our fisheries based upon the best available science.
With all respect to you Bobby T when Webster and Kluberton were appointed three years ago the Gov made it clear that he wanted balance on the BOF. Webster IS a 'commercial' guy and Kluberton was supposed to be a "sports' guy. Webster is right there with Jensen and Jeffrey, both of whom are serious "commercial" guys. I agree in part with your statement that both the appointees have worked hard at their positions. However, it is clear that Kluberton's votes and comments have drifted so as to make the BOF a bit less balanced. Webster will always vote down the set net party lines, always. As for herring, it seemed like all members agreed that given the goal of providing dollars for a few permit holders and the community of sitka, that the fishery was being managed ok. The minority of three , including chairman Johnstone, Hunnington , and Morisky seemed interested in what you indicate is important, the marine ecosystem. But i did not hear any of them say that the fishery should be restricted more than it is at present. Let's see what happens this season. So far it is not looking all that good, is it? They wanted 4,00 tons on the opener and got around 1/3 of that goal. And while it is true that the Gov. does not tell people how to vote, his policy advisor and Boards guy indeed have influenced votes by their comments and actions directed to staff. Why in the world would the Dept. come up with escapement goals on the Kenai using a model with such a huge amount of uncertainty and just the opposite of what they came up with on the Kusko. No, it appears that the Gov did not want a repeat of last year ( hellish political pressure) and sent the word to the Commissioner to prevent a re-occurance. So a decision to reduce the lower end of the goal was made and the staff was told to build a model around the new goall to justify it. And your new best friend Kluberton bought into it. IMHO
BOF is to regulate for max health, and sustainability.
"Sport" fishermen WANT beer and good times.
Commercial fishermen NEED a sustainable harvest opportunity.
Once you recognize the underlying true values of the respective fisheries, it is obvious how any thinking, responsible, long term regulation guiding boardmember will rule.
Klube is not a sport turncoat, he is merely trying to be responsible to the resource, unlike most sporters.
Webstuh could use a new 'do, and a fresh razor. The miami vice look went out in the 80's.
The comments about Jensen are right on the mark. He quit being interested years ago and is now just going through the motions. Time for some fresh blood.
What the hell does the health of herring stocks or how they are managed have to do with whether the State calls them a forage fish. Since the Lynne Canal stock has crashed are they considered a forage fish but they not a forage fish in Togiak.
Either herring are a forage fish in Alaska, just like they are everywhere elsle in the world, or they not. Management, stock health, regional politics or greed should have nothing to do with defining a species as a forage fish.
The purpose of the forage fish management plan is not to list all forage fish; it's to establish a plan for otherwise unmanaged or largely unmanaged species. Herring are carefully managed, so don't fit with the other species listed there.
Kluberton burned a few bridges at the last board of fish meeting. Hopefully he kissed and made up with the sports crowd or he might have a hard time getting confirmed. Nobody has the courage to take on Webster who is the Commercial belle of the ball. He gets the job done by fair or fowl means and the Set netters worship him. It really is hard to imagine that there are two members on the BOF who both set net fish and have been doing so for many years. Do you think that they would EVER vote for anything other than for their friends on the beach. . Not EVER! Add to the mix another active commercial fisherman, Jensen and you are guaranteed three votes. Add Kluberton to the list now as he has shown that he supports the ESSN fishers above all others and you have a stacked deck boss. Hunnington, who obviously does not comprehend the material will go along with them particularly when those four lobby him hard, which they are doing. The word from the Sitka tribe is that Kluberton in fact was pressured by the governor's office to back off the forage fish proposal. It is getting way too political and if it keeps going this way, perhaps it is time to turn the job back over to the legislature.
Both Kluberton AND Webster appointed???? Makes no sense. Kluberton is a commercial guy dressed in sports fishing clothes. Webster is through and through UFA and UCIDA's favorite son. Bye Bye balance to the board of Fish. The governor is slowly stacking the deck boss with a commercial majority. Let's hope that some of the House or Senate members prevent this skewing of what is supposed to be a balanced board. Call your local reps and tell them to vote NO on both of these guys. If you do not you will have only yourself to blame when there are no more Kings in the rivers of the Mat Valley or in the Kenai. Heck, we are almost there now!
After all the years of attending BOF meeting I have found that intelligent BOF members vote on proposals based on the information (fact & fiction) and the BOF policies and guiding principles. If they vote on emotion and perceived falsehoods they come out looking like a nut job and usually end up frustrated with the job and quit or are not asked to serve again. That is why you see commercial BOF members vote to reallocate to sports fisheries and you see sport BOF members vote to preserve commercial fisheries. The BOF members that have a closed mind and set agenda are not very good for the process or the resource
Just finished listening to the Senate Resource Committee hearing on Kluberton and Webster. The Bob Penny machine aka KRSA, lined up against Webster. Thank goodness that organization no longer has any credibility. their opposition guarantees Webster will be confirmed.
Hopefully, the fitness of a person for reappointment on the Board will not be predicated on how he/she votes on one or two issues in a meeting immediately before reappointment/confirmation. There should (hopefully) be a bit broader view than that.
I wonder if the Area M boys think Webster's the greatest, since he's "commercial" and all?
right on. right on.
ReplyDeletehere. here.
ReplyDeleteBoth fairminded individuals who are really trying their hardest.
ReplyDeleteYa right ... until Cook Inlet comes up ..
ReplyDeleteTotally fair and Bob Penney minded
Now if we could just replace Jensen, Boris Karloffs little brother, with someone that is actually unbiased and willing to promote the correct actions. What a cold hearted unapproachable...
ReplyDeleteJensen has a great deal of experience that he should share with the other members of the board. Problem is, he doesn't. His votes are as predictable as the sun rising in the east. So from my perspective he does not help my commercial interest, simply because no one pays any attention to him. He is likable but he does nothing to persuade other members to his viewpoint. Maybe next term we can put him out to pasture and get someone whose points of view are respected. IMHO
ReplyDeleteKluberton looks like he has gone over to the commercial side. Ask the sports guys and you will get a new perspective. He is no longer their guy and the balance of the Board is finally in our favor. Go Tom and many thanks to the Governor. The KRSA dynasty is over and they are finally impotent. The likes of Penny are no threat, just a loud voice with nothing to back it up.
ReplyDeleteKluberton reappointment was contingent upon voting against making Pacific Herring a FORAGE FISH.
ReplyDeleteParnell had a meeting with the processors who were represented by a Silver Bay stock holder and the president of the Herring Coalition who is also the head of NSRAA. The pressure came from the top. Instead of Kluberton listening to the science he felt that being appointed again was more important then saving the Sitka Sound Pacific herring. The Modest Catch" was due to lack of herring.
Wait, Herring aren't forage fish?
ReplyDelete822am
ReplyDeleteNonsense. Pure nonsense.
The Governor doesn't TELL anyone how to vote.
Kluberton probably looked at the Sitka Herring Abundance graph, which, even after a drop in 2012, has grown by around ten fold in the 40 years of the fishery's existence.
There was testimony at the Anchorage BOF meeting last week that herring have gone the way of the buffalo. Nonsense. There are areas and there was a time, long ago, where we weren't as conservative and didn't understand the complexity of herring fisheries management as well and we got burned and probably had some other, non-fishing related issues, i.e. PWS, Exxon, etc. But put a graph of Sitka up on the wall and look at the last 40 years. No one could do that and maintain that Sitka herring are in decline.
Herring aren't managed on the 'do not fish' forage list, but they're sure as heck managed as a specie that gives alot to other fisheries resources and is intricately involved in the marine ecosystem.
Otherwise why would the ADFG have such a conservative management approach.
There are 3 types of herring fisheries in Alaska right now.
1. The zero percent harvest rate fishery. Unless a fishery has an incredible biomass, there is no fishery.
2. 10% harvest rate. For those herring stocks that have alot of herring but not an outstanding biomass, we harvest at 10%.
3. 20%. Sitka. Togiak. For those herring stocks that are at historical highs.... and for those of you herring fishery haters, look at the numbers, the numbers don't lie.... we have up to a 20% harvest rate.
The very reason why we have such low harvest rates are two-fold.
First and most importantly, the state recognizes the incredible value of keeping a surplus biomass of herring around for the marine ecosystem and for their value in the food chain. Sitka Sac Roe could biologically handle a substantially higher harvest rate, but ADFG limits it to ensure that 80% of the population is swimming around all year.
Recognize that this 80% is 8 times more herring than Sitka had prior to the institution of the commercial fishery. If you think the commercial fishery in Sitka has had an effect on the herring population, it could only have been to drive the population up.
And secondly, the 0-10-20 harvest rate model also builds in risk and uncertainty. Herring aren't the easiest critters to manage, whatwith the cumbersome dive surveys and aerial assessment to determine spawning biomass.
Kluberton is doing what Board of Fish members should all be doing....listening to the facts, investigating the data and coming to a conclusion based upon the science.
Both Webster and Kluberton have done a heck of a job and have given the state great service in their respective positions.
And btw, neither is a sport or commercial or personal use or subsistence guy.
They are Alaskans.
They are doing the right thing for our fisheries based upon the best available science.
That's all.
Oh. And btw. I forgot to sign my name@ 1027.
ReplyDeletebobbyt
With all respect to you Bobby T when Webster and Kluberton were appointed three years ago the Gov made it clear that he wanted balance on the BOF. Webster IS a 'commercial' guy and Kluberton was supposed to be a "sports' guy. Webster is right there with Jensen and Jeffrey, both of whom are serious "commercial" guys. I agree in part with your statement that both the appointees have worked hard at their positions. However, it is clear that Kluberton's votes and comments have drifted so as to make the BOF a bit less balanced. Webster will always vote down the set net party lines, always. As for herring, it seemed like all members agreed that given the goal of providing dollars for a few permit holders and the community of sitka, that the fishery was being managed ok. The minority of three , including chairman Johnstone, Hunnington , and Morisky seemed interested in what you indicate is important, the marine ecosystem. But i did not hear any of them say that the fishery should be restricted more than it is at present. Let's see what happens this season. So far it is not looking all that good, is it? They wanted 4,00 tons on the opener and got around 1/3 of that goal. And while it is true that the Gov. does not tell people how to vote, his policy advisor and Boards guy indeed have influenced votes by their comments and actions directed to staff. Why in the world would the Dept. come up with escapement goals on the Kenai using a model with such a huge amount of uncertainty and just the opposite of what they came up with on the Kusko. No, it appears that the Gov did not want a repeat of last year ( hellish political pressure) and sent the word to the Commissioner to prevent a re-occurance. So a decision to reduce the lower end of the goal was made and the staff was told to build a model around the new goall to justify it. And your new best friend Kluberton bought into it. IMHO
ReplyDeleteBOF is to regulate for max health, and sustainability.
ReplyDelete"Sport" fishermen WANT beer and good times.
Commercial fishermen NEED a sustainable harvest opportunity.
Once you recognize the underlying true values of the respective fisheries, it is obvious how any thinking, responsible, long term regulation guiding boardmember will rule.
Klube is not a sport turncoat, he is merely trying to be responsible to the resource, unlike most sporters.
Webstuh could use a new 'do, and a fresh razor. The miami vice look went out in the 80's.
The comments about Jensen are right on the mark. He quit being interested years ago and is now just going through the motions. Time for some fresh blood.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell does the health of herring stocks or how they are managed have to do with whether the State calls them a forage fish. Since the Lynne Canal stock has crashed are they considered a forage fish but they not a forage fish in Togiak.
ReplyDeleteEither herring are a forage fish in Alaska, just like they are everywhere elsle in the world, or they not. Management, stock health, regional politics or greed should have nothing to do with defining a species as a forage fish.
The purpose of the forage fish management plan is not to list all forage fish; it's to establish a plan for otherwise unmanaged or largely unmanaged species. Herring are carefully managed, so don't fit with the other species listed there.
ReplyDeleteESP the Lynne canal herring
ReplyDeleteWheres that, England
Kluberton burned a few bridges at the last board of fish meeting. Hopefully he kissed and made up with the sports crowd or he might have a hard time getting confirmed. Nobody has the courage to take on Webster who is the Commercial belle of the ball. He gets the job done by fair or fowl means and the Set netters worship him. It really is hard to imagine that there are two members on the BOF who both set net fish and have been doing so for many years. Do you think that they would EVER vote for anything other than for their friends on the beach. . Not EVER! Add to the mix another active commercial fisherman, Jensen and you are guaranteed three votes. Add Kluberton to the list now as he has shown that he supports the ESSN fishers above all others and you have a stacked deck boss. Hunnington, who obviously does not comprehend the material will go along with them particularly when those four lobby him hard, which they are doing. The word from the Sitka tribe is that Kluberton in fact was pressured by the governor's office to back off the forage fish proposal. It is getting way too political and if it keeps going this way, perhaps it is time to turn the job back over to the legislature.
ReplyDeleteThis side. That side.
ReplyDeleteThe Real Resource Owners have no voice in the management of Alaska's Resources. Sold out without permission.
BoF
ReplyDeleteButt out fellows
BoF
Makes decisions
Based on Who
Has the most
Political Power
Vinnie the Belle? Hardly. Other than he's got long hair and drawls from the South.
ReplyDeleteFair and equal respresentation is not a factor in the management of our Natural Resources.
ReplyDeleteIt's a game for those with the most.
Both Kluberton AND Webster appointed???? Makes no sense. Kluberton is a commercial guy dressed in sports fishing clothes. Webster is through and through UFA and UCIDA's favorite son. Bye Bye balance to the board of Fish. The governor is slowly stacking the deck boss with a commercial majority. Let's hope that some of the House or Senate members prevent this skewing of what is supposed to be a balanced board. Call your local reps and tell them to vote NO on both of these guys. If you do not you will have only yourself to blame when there are no more Kings in the rivers of the Mat Valley or in the Kenai. Heck, we are almost there now!
ReplyDeleteAfter all the years of attending BOF meeting I have found that intelligent BOF members vote on proposals based on the information (fact & fiction) and the BOF policies and guiding principles. If they vote on emotion and perceived falsehoods they come out looking like a nut job and usually end up frustrated with the job and quit or are not asked to serve again. That is why you see commercial BOF members vote to reallocate to sports fisheries and you see sport BOF members vote to preserve commercial fisheries. The BOF members that have a closed mind and set agenda are not very good for the process or the resource
ReplyDeleteKluberton a commercial guy? Not even close.
ReplyDeleteJust finished listening to the Senate Resource Committee hearing on Kluberton and Webster. The Bob Penny machine aka KRSA, lined up against Webster. Thank goodness that organization no longer has any credibility. their opposition guarantees Webster will be confirmed.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, the fitness of a person for reappointment on the Board will not be predicated on how he/she votes on one or two issues in a meeting immediately before reappointment/confirmation. There should (hopefully) be a bit broader view than that.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Area M boys think Webster's the greatest, since he's "commercial" and all?