Alaska lawmakers consider HB125 to add designated subsistence, commercial, sport and science seats to Board of Fisheries

Representative Nelly Jimmy, sponsor of House Bill 125, told the Alaska House Special Committee on Fisheries on March 18 that the bill would create designated seats on the seven-member Board of Fisheries for two commercial, two sport, two subsistence and one scientific member.

"With this bill I see as is bringing an equal voice to the table for subsistence users," Jimmy said, arguing the change would protect rural Alaskans and bolster sustainable management of fisheries.

The measure would change the current appointment practice, under which statute the governor "shall appoint each member on the basis of interest in public affairs, good judgment, knowledge, and ability ... with the view to provide diversity of interest and points of view in the membership," by instead identifying seats by stakeholder category, according to Rachel Gunn, chief of staff to Representative Jimmy.

"We believe that bringing designated seats to the board of fish will be positive, ensuring the health of Alaska fisheries going forward," Gunn said. She cited recent fishery declines and provided economic and food-security figures during her presentation.

The bill drew support from tribal leaders and rural community representatives who testified in favor of guaranteed subsistence representation. Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, told the committee his people have relied on traditional harvests "since time immemorial" and urged a nomination path that allows tribes to put forward candidates for the subsistence seats.

"Our people have relied on the traditional harvest of fish for since time immemorial," Peterson said, and he recommended that tribes be able to directly nominate for subsistence slots so the state and tribes maintain a government-to-government relationship.

Chief Moses Owen of Akiak, calling in from the Kuskokwim River, described near-total community dependence on fish and said the proposal would give subsistence users "equal representation across the board." Jerry McCune, a commercial fisherman from Cordova, supported the discussion but urged clearer definitions for "commercial" and "sport" seats and questioned including a federal employee on a state board.

Committee members asked multiple clarifying questions about nomination sources, geographic representation and legal limits. Representative Vance asked why the bill specifies where nominee lists would come from; Gunn said the sponsor and staff were open to amendments and noted that the statute for federal subsistence nominations differs from state practice.

Rep. Vance asked about requiring a federal employee for the scientific seat; Gunn said she was not aware of a legal prohibition but would verify and report back. Jerry McCune told the committee that the current statute cited in committee discussion (referred to in testimony as 16.05.221) "needs some work" because governors do not always select from submitted lists.

Several lawmakers framed the bill as a conversation starter rather than a final plan. Representative Edgmon called the topic ‘‘controversial’’ but said the bill modernizes the board and merits discussion; Representative Kopp, a lifelong Alaskan and commercial fisher with subsistence experience, echoed support for local decision-making.

The committee left public testimony open and set the bill to be the first item for testimony at its next meeting. Chair Stutes closed the session by saying, "I will leave public testimony open until Tuesday. We will open up with this bill." With no further committee business, the chair adjourned at 10:43 a.m.

Ending: The bill will return to the committee hearing with additional public testimony scheduled at the committee's next meeting; sponsors and staff indicated they are open to amendments on nomination sources and membership definitions.