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Commission hears Six Pac licensing process; commissioners press questions about commercial fishing and outreach
Summary
A presentation on the Six Pac licensing process prompted questions about class scheduling, whether commercial fishermen need the license to sell fish, license duration, physical exam frequency and outreach to villages; commissioners also asked about boundary rules for operations on the Kobuk and Noatak rivers.
Greg Mercer presented the process for obtaining a Six Pac license at the Oct. 11 meeting and outlined eligibility and operational considerations. Commissioners asked about when a training class would be held, whether commercial fishermen must hold this license to sell fish, and what license type small-business owners should pursue.
Commissioner Denny McConnell raised concerns about the timeline for earning necessary hours and asked about alternative ways to build experience. Chair Tristen Pattee asked whether an applicant without a vessel could use another owner’s vessel to qualify. Commissioner Becky Norton asked whether the program has been announced in the villages to ensure broad awareness.
Mercer said a physical is required every two-and-a-half years and answered questions on boundaries, including whether lines extend up the Kobuk and Noatak rivers. Commissioners emphasized outreach and clarity for applicants about responsibilities and risks, particularly for culture-camp operators and small-business owners.
No formal action or vote was recorded on the licensing topic; commissioners asked staff to consider additional outreach to village stakeholders and to clarify license categories for commercial and small-business use.
