(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sean Parnell announced his nominations of Alaskans with experience in salmon fisheries for service on the Pacific Salmon Commission as public members. The Governor's nominations are subject to final approval and appointment by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

To the Pacific Salmon Commission, Northern Panel, the Governor nominated:

Clay Bezenek, of Ketchikan, has been a commercial fisherman for 30 years. He has significant knowledge of fisheries subject to the terms of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Bezenek currently serves as a member of the Alaska Fisherman’s Fund Advisory Board, United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters, Southeast Alaska Fisheries Alliance, United Fishermen of Alaska, and Ketchikan Fish and Game Advisory Committee. This is Bezenek’s first nomination to the commission as a member.

Brennon Eagle, of Wrangell, has more than 35 years of experience as a Southeast Alaska gillnet fisherman. He also participates in halibut, shrimp, and crab fisheries. Eagle has served as a member of the Wrangell Fish and Game Advisory Committee for 20 years. He is a board member of the Southeast Alaska Fisherman’s Alliance and a member of the United Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association. This is Eagle’s first nomination to the commission as an alternate member.

Mitchell Eide, of Petersburg, is a commercial fisherman and lifelong Petersburg resident. A vessel owner and operator, he fishes for salmon, herring, halibut, black cod, and crab. He serves on the boards of directors of the Southeast Alaska Seiners Association and the Northern Southeast Alaska Regional Aquaculture Association. Eide has served on the panel since 2006.

Dennis Longstreth, of Sitka, has been involved in the salmon trolling fishery since 1973. He has been a member of the Alaska Trollers Association, and was involved with the Port Alexander and Sitka Fish and Game Advisory Committees. He has previously served on the Port Alexander City Council and the Northern Southeast Local Emergency Planning Committee. Longstreth has served on the panel since 2000.

Howard Pendell, of Sitka, has been a commercial salmon troller and long-liner since 1974. He is a founding member of the Sumner Straits Fish and Game Advisory Committee and a past member of the board of directors for Alaska Trollers Association. Pendell was involved with the Southeast Sustainable Salmon Fund. Pendell has served on the panel since 2001.

Robert Thorstenson Jr., of Juneau, is executive director of the Southeast Alaska Seiners Association. He has been involved in the United Fishermen of Alaska, the Southeast Sustainable Salmon Fund, and the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Hatchery Board of Directors. Thorstenson has been an advisor to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, a member of the Pacific Salmon Treaty Coalition, and is a consultant with the Prince of Whales Hatchery Association and the Armstrong-Keta Hatchery. He has served on the panel since 1996.

To the Pacific Salmon Commission, Transboundary Panel which provides technical and regulatory advice to the Pacific Salmon Commission relating to management of salmon stocks originating in the Alsek, Taku and Stikine rivers, for both in-river and terminal area fisheries, the Governor nominated:

John H. Clark, Ph.D, has worked with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game since 1975 in positions, including fishery biologist, fisheries scientist, Interior Alaska regional supervisor, and Pacific Salmon Treaty specialist. He is the author of numerous technical fisheries publications, and has won numerous professional honors, including a Meritorious Service Award from the American Fisheries Society’s Alaska chapter, the Governor's Recognition Award for negotiation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, and a Conservation and Management Service Award from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Carroll College, and master’s and doctoral degrees in fisheries biology from Colorado State University. Clark will continue on the Transboundary Panel as a member with salmon fishery management responsibility and expertise.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

Office of Governor Sean Parnell
www.gov.state.ak.us

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