Juneau watch

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang is scheduled to present a budget overview to the House Finance Committee at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Who will be our next fish and game commissioner?

Now that Mike Dunleavy has won the race for governor, we await his picks for cabinet positions including commissioner of fish and game.

Here are a few potential candidates for the post. We offer these for entertainment purposes only — Deckboss hasn't spoken with these people about the matter.

Lacking time and energy today, I'll leave it to you to research the backgrounds of any names you might not know.

Doug Vincent-Lang	John Moller
Brett Huber	Ricky Gease

Regnart leaving as commercial fisheries director

Jeff Regnart is stepping down as the state's commercial fisheries director, effective Oct. 2.

That's according to a note sent on behalf of Commissioner Sam Cotten to Alaska Department of Fish and Game employees.

"Jeff has done an exceptional job serving the division, the department and the state in many capacities for over two decades," the note said. "We hate to see him go, but also understand that personal reasons will take him outside the state."

Regnart was appointed commercial fisheries director in February 2011 during the Parnell administration.

What would happen in a shutdown scenario?

If the Alaska Legislature can't work out a budget and the state proceeds with a partial government shutdown come July, what would happen to fisheries management?

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game addresses that question in this press release.

Fish and Game habitat director named

Here's the press release.

Cotten named acting fish and game commissioner

Gov. Bill Walker has appointed Sam Cotten as acting commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.

Here's the official announcement.

King copy

Here's Chinook News, a new publication from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

It's out

Deckboss has not yet read it, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has posted its Chinook salmon research plan.

Coming Jan. 1

Here's a news release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game about the impending expansion of the federal fisheries observer program.

Despite a lot of squawk out there, this thing is looking like a go.

What's the deal with Rep. Thomas?

Earlier this month we reported that a Southeast Alaska commercial fishing group was endorsing state Rep. Bill Thomas for another term, despite his "conflict of interest" in trying to influence state salmon fishery managers.

The suggestion of a conflict is rooted in two facts: Thomas himself is a commercial fisherman, and he holds considerable sway over the Department of Fish and Game budget as co-chair of the House Finance Committee.

The Haines Republican appears to be in quite a battle for re-election this year.

Since that initial report, Deckboss has acquired a raft of public records, including email and other documents, from Fish and Game that shed light on Thomas and his dealings with the department.

The records center on the state's management of the 2011 salmon fisheries in northern Southeast, the legislator's home region, and the rivalry between two gear groups — gillnetters and seiners.

Thomas, a gillnetter, appears to push managers for actions that would benefit the gillnetters.

As an example of the records we obtained, here is an internal memo known as a notification of legislative contact in which a Fish and Game supervisory biologist details a call from Thomas.

Thomas, according to the memo, complained that gillnetters had been restricted but not seiners.

He said he would take his concerns to the Fish and Game commissioner and the state Board of Fisheries.

He asserted he was the only commercial fisherman in the Legislature.

And he noted that he "had done a lot for ADF&G's budgets."

More instances of Thomas contacting department staff can be found in this string of documents. Note that some sections have been redacted.

The Petersburg Vessel Owners Association endorsed Thomas, but told him his in-season interactions with Fish and Game managers constituted a "conflict of interest."

"Salmon management and allocation issues should be addressed in the appropriate forums and through the proper channels, allowing due process to take its course," the group said.

Deckboss has not contacted Thomas regarding this issue. But certainly he is welcome to respond.

State posts FAQ on Chinook disaster

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game answers questions here regarding poor Chinook salmon returns to certain parts of the state.

The FAQ says the science team looking into the matter will hold a symposium Oct. 22-23 at the Egan Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage.

Where does fish stand in governor's budget?

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell yesterday rolled out his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013.

Naturally, Deckboss was eager to see how the Department of Fish and Game fared in the spending plan, which has some cutbacks compared to the current budget, the governor says.

Here are a few highlights:

• The proposed Fish and Game operating budget, including all state and federal funds, is $209.3 million, a 5.1 percent increase.

• The proposed operating budget for commercial fisheries, the department's most expensive unit, is $70.5 million, a 4.4 percent increase.

• The proposed operating budget for sport fisheries is $49.7 million, a 2.7 percent increase.

• The department is slated to trim 13 full-time positions, a 1.4 percent reduction, and 46 part-time positions, a 6.1 percent cut.

• Along with his budget, the governor also proposed a bond package that includes $10 million for the city of Seward's homeport project for the Community Development Quota fleet.

You can find much more information on the Fish and Game budget here, including complete details on a number of proposed capital projects.

The Alaska Legislature opens its 2012 session on Jan. 17.

New directors named at Fish and Game

Here's the press release:

May 12, 2011

Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces new subsistence director and Board of Fisheries executive director

JUNEAU — Commissioner Cora Campbell recently filled two leadership positions for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Hazel Nelson was appointed director of the Division of Subsistence, and Monica Wellard has been appointed executive director of the Board of Fisheries.

"I'm pleased that Hazel Nelson and Monica Wellard have joined the department's leadership team. Both are highly respected professionals with excellent leadership skills and experience," Campbell said. "I look forward to their contributions to the department and the public."

Hazel Nelson's many years of experience include hands-on work with state and federal resource regulatory processes, local governments and economic development bodies. She has worked with the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Lake and Peninsula Borough, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corp., the U.S.-Russia Intergovernmental Consultative Committee and the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference. Hazel was born and raised in Egegik and understands the importance of providing sustainable subsistence opportunities for all Alaskans. She will be stationed in the Anchorage office.

Monica Wellard has 18 years of service with ADF&G in which she has held several positions, each with increasing levels of responsibility and authority. Wellard served for five years as assistant director with the Division of Sport Fish, and previously held the administrative operations manager position with the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Her experience and familiarity with fisheries are great assets in her new position. Monica will be stationed in the Juneau headquarters office.

Nelson takes over the lead position in the Division of Subsistence from Jim Simon, subsistence program manager, who has been serving as acting director for the last few months. Wellard will replace Jim Marcotte, who is retiring after 28 years with the department.

Legislature OKs Campbell

The Alaska Legislature today unanimously confirmed, without debate, Cora Campbell as Gov. Sean Parnell's fish and game commissioner, the Associated Press reports.

Cora Campbell picks up support for confirmation

Cora Campbell appears to be gaining momentum in her bid to secure confirmation as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Here's a sampler of letters sent recently to state legislators. Campbell is finding support from commercial and recreational fishing groups, the state's largest Native organization, a respected marine conservation group, and Community Development Quota players.

Some, however, say she lacks the proper background for the position.

United Fishermen of Alaska — supports

Chitina Dipnetters Association — supports

Alaska Federation of Natives — supports

Alaska Marine Conservation Council — supports

Western Alaska Community Development Association — supports

Sara Jackinsky — opposes

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.

A new look — but better?

If you haven't visited the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website lately, prepare for a shock.

It's been redesigned.

Don't you just love a good redesign?

Parnell's pick for commissioner draws more heat

Another group is opposing Gov. Sean Parnell's choice of Cora Campbell as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Here's a letter the Ketchikan Herring Action Group sent to state legislators urging them to vote against Campbell's confirmation.

'Acting' dropped from Cora Campbell's title

No surprise here: Gov. Sean Parnell has chosen Cora Campbell from a very short list to be his fish and game commissioner.

Here's the press release:

Dec. 22, 2010

Gov. Parnell names Cora Campbell fish and game commissioner

JUNEAU — Gov. Sean Parnell today appointed Cora Campbell as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Campbell's name was one of two submitted for the position by the Joint Board of Fisheries and Game. Campbell has been serving as acting commissioner since Dec. 1.

"I commend the joint board for sending me two well-qualified candidates, both whom I know and respect," Gov. Parnell said. "Cora Campbell's fisheries experience and broad understanding of wildlife management make her a great fit for the agency."

As acting commissioner, Campbell represented the State of Alaska on numerous bodies, including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, which oversees commercial and sport fisheries in federal waters off Alaska. Prior to this appointment, she served as a policy advisor for wildlife, environmental conservation, natural resources, Arctic issues, climate change and fisheries in her role as special assistant to Gov. Parnell.

"I'm honored to serve in this capacity, and look forward to working with agency staff and the public to sustain Alaska's world-class fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities," Campbell said.

Campbell has served two governors, and was first appointed in May 2007 as Gov. Palin's fisheries policy advisor. Her responsibilities included oversight of state fisheries policies, chairing the fisheries and oceans subcabinets, serving on the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors, and coordinating activities of the agencies involved in regulation and development of the state's subsistence, personal use, sport and commercial fisheries. Campbell's responsibilities later expanded to include wildlife and other natural resource and environmental issues.

Prior to her service in the governor's office, Campbell worked in state and federal fishery and regulatory forums, served as executive director of a regional fishing association with an emphasis on economic development and cooperative research, supervised a public outreach program focusing on the federal subsistence process, and served on numerous boards and committees, including the advisory panels to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the North Pacific Research Board. She has also fished commercially for salmon, herring and crab, and managed shore operations for a diversified fishing business.

A lifelong Alaskan originally from Petersburg, Campbell graduated from Pacific Lutheran University. She will be based in Juneau.

Update on commissioner nominations

The Joint Board of Fisheries and Game voted unanimously this afternoon to send two names to Gov. Sean Parnell to consider for fish and game commissioner: Cora Campbell and Ron Somerville.

They were the only applicants for the job.

Parnell already has strongly signaled his likely choice, and that's Campbell, who currently is serving as acting commissioner.