Both are surprises as neither was the top choice of their respective governors.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy had nominated Märit Carlson-Van Dort as his lead pick, with Bowers and Israel Payton as his second and third choices. Carlson-Van Dort chairs the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Bowers is a longtime state employee in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, currently working as acting commercial fisheries director.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson nominated crab fleet representative Jamie Goen for a second term on the council, but the commerce secretary instead appointed Chad See, Ferguson's second choice. See is executive director of the Freezer Longline Coalition.
Well surprise surprise! Marit has led an unethical BoF for years now and has been called out for it. Apparently all powerful KRSA doesn’t have the funding to move her up the line or she’s such a great lackey they’d rather keep her in that seat to continue destroying Comfish unless it’s Chignik of course. Ethics my dear, get some.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sure their entitled ED and shadow lobbyist are screaming at Dunleavy and Sullivan as we speak. They want what they bought and paid for, which is the elimination of commercial fishing.
DeleteHmmm. I wonder if the wicked witch is sad??? But one thing for sure it makes a lot of people happy.!!!
ReplyDeleteGood picks. Forrest is one of the most knowledgeable and accessible people in fisheries and a lifelong public servant. He cares deeply about Alaska and its fisheries. Marit is a vote trading KRSA pawn, with no federal fisheries experience, and an ego that is only outdone by her uncontrollable temper.
ReplyDeleteJamie clearly gets paid by the number of times she says "resiliency" or fails to get a second on a poorly thought out amendment. Good thing she has that cushy $250k job to go back to.
Well, well the trawlers got what was best for them, what a surprise!
ReplyDeleteChad is a pushover for the trawlers when it comes to standing up for fixed gear issues.
I'll say one thing, the trawl industry knows how to get things done in D.C.
Remind me what Jamie did for fixed gear? Your trawl derangement syndrome is clouding your memory.
DeleteWhat are you basing that off of? Chad has always advocated for science and the fixed gear sector. He actually cares about things like surveys and stock assessments. Jamie is a singular gear group advocate and a failure at that. The crabbers went backwards during her 2 years.
DeleteI mean, the BOF had a pretty major ethics and conflict issue come up in the middle of the confirmation process. The State’s own attorneys can’t even defend the BOF decisions. Some would say that would be disqualifying.
Deletehttps://alaskabeacon.com/2026/06/05/ak-board-of-fish-limited-a-commercial-fleet-to-protect-western-alaska-salmon-then-the-ag-stepped-in/
you guys are so childish and mean, count your blessings and let those not appointed go on their way.
ReplyDeleteApparently you never attended a BOF meeting and watched the chair degrade anyone not in agreement with her.
DeleteYou call us childish and mean? I’m wondering what you would call her after seeing her in action sitting in her throne on the BOF. Criticizing and insulting the ADFG. Etc etc. I have some choice words but I won’t be childish and mean. !!!
DeleteLet's hope Alaska's next governor sends Marit packing on their first day in office. She is one of the worst things to happen to BOF in decades — ten times worse than Johnstone. From temper tantrums and yelling at staff and members of the public, she takes the cake.
ReplyDeleteShe is the human embodiment of what KRSA has become. Entitled, rude, dismissive of others, corrupt, and operating outside their scope of knowledge and fisheries.
DeleteThe Alaska Marine Community Coalition has concerns:
ReplyDeletehttps://files.constantcontact.com/d60d3973701/ff2a8e6a-cccf-4765-b24e-781b44fb323d.pdf?rdr=true
So glad a group that works everyday to undermine science and the council process felt the need to voice its "concerns." Funny that they are asking to support candidates with stakeholder support. Last I checked Marit only had support from KRSA and American Sportfishing Association. But who knows, maybe this is a long con to try and game out the Kodiak BOF meeting.
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