Next up for the CFEC

The governor has appointed Rick Green to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

The commission is a small state agency that issues commercial fishing permits and vessel licenses. The commission also limits the number of participants in the fisheries, though this work by and large was completed many years ago.

As many as three commissioners head the agency, but it will have only two with Green's appointment.

Green is best known for his years hosting a radio show as "Rick Rydell." More recently, he was special assistant to state Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang.

He takes the place of Mike Porcaro on the commission. Porcaro, an advertising executive who also hosts a radio talk show, in May failed to win legislative confirmation to the position.

Nathaniel Herz, of Northern Journal, was first to break the news of Green's appointment.

Indy Walton named to Board of Fisheries

Gov. Mike Dunleavy today announced the appointment of Indy Walton to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

Walton takes the seat previously occupied by Abe Williams.

The governor's office provided this background on Walton:

Mr. Walton received his degree in education from Brigham Young University and worked as an educator in Alaska for five years. He has been commercial fishing for 37 years, with 22 years of setnetting in Bristol Bay and Kodiak and 15 years of driftnetting in Bristol Bay. Indy has owned a lodge for the past three years on the Kvichak River and has worked as a licensed financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments for the past 19 years. Additionally, he has coached hockey in Soldotna for the past 23 years.

Good work if you can get it

The governor has appointed Melvin Smith to the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

And who is Melvin Smith?

This public radio report has the scoop.

UFA opposes Johnstone

In an "action alert" issued today, United Fishermen of Alaska urges its members to oppose Karl Johnstone's appointment to the state Board of Fisheries.

Johnstone, a retired Superior Court judge, served on the board from 2008 to 2015.

Now he's set to return as one of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's recently announced board appointees.

UFA, the state's flagship commercial fishing organization, said its directors met and voted to oppose Johnstone "based on his actions" during his previous time on the board.

Governor wants expanded fish board

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker today issued the following statement in defense of his choice for the Board of Fisheries.

Finding high-quality Alaskans to serve on the Board of Fisheries is critical, and that is why I was pleased to nominate Duncan Fields of Kodiak to fill the vacant seat on the board.

At the same time, Duncan's appointment underscores the constant struggle to achieve balance on the board. Not only is there an array of user groups — from commercial and sportfish to subsistence and personal use — there are also distinct regions which deserve representation when management issues are considered. It is not always possible to balance every need every year. This is why I believe the board should be expanded to include nine members. While I continue to support Duncan's appointment, I am working to promptly address the concern of balance between user groups.

CFEC update

Carol Petraborg has withdrawn as an appointee to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

The governor has submitted a new name for legislative confirmation to the commission: Dale Kelley, of Juneau.

Deckboss presumes this is the same Dale Kelley who has worked for many years as executive director of the Alaska Trollers Association.

Personnel file

The governor has appointed Carol Petraborg to the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission.

Petraborg currently is administrative services director for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Here's her bio.

Competition for this CFEC appointment was stiff, according to this media report.

Juneau man appointed to entry commission

Here's the press release.

ASMI news

The governor has reappointed Tomi Marsh, of Ketchikan, to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute board of directors.

Laukitis, Peterson confirmed for council

The federal government has approved Alaska Gov. Bill Walker's choices for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council:

Michael "Buck" Laukitis, of Homer
Theresa A. Peterson, of Kodiak

Laukitis and Peterson replace David Long, of Wasilla, and Duncan Fields, of Kodiak, on the council.

Behnken named to halibut commission

Details in this press release.

Retired state trooper appointed to Board of Fish

Gov. Bill Walker has appointed Robert Mumford to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

This is the governor's third attempt to fill the seat formerly held by Karl Johnstone.

The Alaska Legislature rejected one of the previous appointees, Robert Ruffner. The other, Roland Maw, withdrew.

According to this press release, Mumford lives in Anchorage and is a retired wildlife trooper.

Kenai conservationist appointed to Board of Fish

Here is Gov. Bill Walker's letter appointing Robert Ruffner to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

Ruffner is the longtime executive director of the Kenai Watershed Forum, which is much concerned with protecting salmon habitat along the Kenai River.

Ruffner is the Walker's second pick to fill a board seat formerly held by Karl Johnstone.

The governor's first choice, Roland Maw, was a controversial appointee and withdrew.

Kenny Down named to North Pacific Council

An industry insider, Kenny Down, has been appointed to a Washington state seat on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Here's a rather incomplete press release announcing the appointment.

Down is president of Blue North, which operates freezer longline vessels targeting Alaska cod.

He replaces John Henderschedt, who resigned from the council to accept a position with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Fritz Johnson appointed to Board of Fisheries

Gov. Sean Parnell today appointed Bristol Bay commercial fisherman Fritz Johnson to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

Johnson replaces board veteran Vince Webster, who in April failed to win legislative confirmation for another term.

For more background on Johnson, read the governor's press release.

Morisky appointed to Board of Fisheries

Gov. Sean Parnell has chosen Fairbanks resident Reed Morisky to replace Bill Brown on the state Board of Fisheries.

Brown, of Juneau, abruptly resigned mid-term last month.

A press release Parnell's office issued tonight said in part:

Morisky's appointment is effective immediately, expires June 30, 2014, and is subject to confirmation by the Alaska Legislature.

Morisky, of Fairbanks, is the owner and operator of Wilderness Fishing, a sport fishing guide service based in Fairbanks and Nenana. He currently works as a project manager for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Division of Design and Construction. He is a past member of the Sport Fishing Guide Services Task Force, Summit Drive Service Area Commission and the Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department board of directors. Morisky serves as a current member for the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau, Trout Unlimited, Alaska Outdoor Council and the National Rifle Association.

Of note

Gov. Sarah Palin yesterday made a slew of appointments to various state boards, and this was part of the press release:

Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council

Governor Palin reappointed Larry Bartman to the Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council.

The six-member council consults with the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development regarding appeals filed concerning the care of Alaska licensed commercial fishermen who have been injured while fishing in Alaska. The council also oversees the administration of the Fishermen’s Fund, which uses a portion of commercial fishing licenses and permit fees to fund medical care and benefits for injured commercial fishermen.

Bartman, of Manokotak, is a technology liaison with the Southwest Region School District in Dillingham and since 1978 has been a commercial driftnet and setnet fisherman in Bristol Bay. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education and worked as a middle school math and science teacher in New Stuyahok, Mentasta Lake and Point Hope.

He was reappointed to a seat representing District 4, covering the waters west of the Alaska Peninsula to Cape Newenham, including Bristol Bay.