Virgil Umfenower critiques Tom Carpenter's science on Alaska fish stocks

The Alaska State Legislature's House Resources Committee convened on May 2, 2025, at 1:00 PM to hear public testimony regarding appointments to the Board of Fish and related issues concerning fishery management in the state.

The meeting began with public testimony from Virgil Umfenower, a resident of North Pole and a former member of the Board of Fish. Umfenower expressed his support for the appointments of Rick Green, Al Barrett, and Olivia Irwin, while opposing Tom Carpenter's nomination. He criticized Carpenter for disregarding peer-reviewed scientific studies, particularly the Hillborn and Eggers study, which he claimed highlighted the poor productivity of ocean conditions affecting fish populations. Umfenower attributed the decline of fish stocks, particularly king salmon in the Yukon River, to the overwhelming number of hatchery salmon released into state waters, suggesting that this practice exacerbates the issue of low fish populations.

Following Umfenower, Rhonda Pitkov, chief of the village of Beaver, provided her testimony in support of Olivia Irwin's appointment to the Board of Fish. Pitkov praised Irwin's diligence and attention to detail in regulatory matters, noting her exceptional involvement in the legislative process as a young Alaskan.

The meeting continued with additional public testimonies, including that of Jared Danielson, who was invited to present his views to the committee.

The session highlighted significant concerns regarding fishery management practices in Alaska, particularly the impact of hatchery salmon on wild fish populations, as well as the importance of appointing knowledgeable individuals to the Board of Fish. The committee will continue to consider public input as it moves forward with the nomination process and discussions on fishery policies.