Two council members barred from halibut vote

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, at its June 1-9 meeting in Sitka, will consider reducing halibut bycatch limits in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish fishery.

Two council members, however, will not be allowed to vote on this high-profile issue.

Simon Kinneen and David Long work for groundfish harvesters that could be significantly impacted by the council's halibut bycatch decision, according to federal recusal determinations.

See pages 9-11 for the Kinneen and Long determinations.

Fields, Long appointed to North Pacific Council

The Commerce Department has reappointed Duncan Fields, of Kodiak, to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and also has appointed newcomer David Long, of Wasilla.

Council members serve three-year terms.

Here's a news release on appointments to all the regional fishery management councils around the country.

Long endorsement

United Fishermen of Alaska, the state's top commercial fishing group, is supporting David Long for a seat on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Here's the UFA endorsement letter.

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.