Legislation introduced in Congress on April 30 would expand representation on the federal fisheries board based in Anchorage to include recreational, small-scale commercial and subsistence user groups.
Current voting members of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council include representatives of the National Marine Fisheries Service, leading fisheries officials from Alaska, Washington and Oregon, and seven members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce based on recommendations from the governors of those states. Non-voting members represent the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and the U.S. State Department.
Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, who introduced the legislation, said the NPFMC was established to advance policies in the interest of all user groups across Alaska fisheries. "In Alaska, many different user groups rely on the same resource, and we need to make sure every one of them has a seat at the table," Begich said. "Ensuring balanced representation is critical to addressing broader challenges facing Alaska fisheries, including declining abundance."
The council plays a major role in management of fisheries in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Gulf of Alaska. Dramatic declines in salmon fisheries on the Yukon River in recent years have resulted in closure of commercial and subsistence fisheries in areas where village residents fish for salmon for their families and dozens of sled dogs. Well over 100 people from these villages came to Anchorage in February to testify before the council, urging restrictions on the salmon caught incidentally by groundfish harvesters.
The bill, which has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop guidelines to verify representation and implement changes, with new requirements taking effect for future council appointments.
