Ocean Gold
2009-04-02 01:23:13
Governor's Press Release on Board of Fish Appointments
Governor Palin appointed Brent G. Johnson, and reappointed Karl S. Johnstone, to the Board of Fisheries.
The seven-member Board of Fisheries is responsible for conservation and development of the state’s fishery resources by setting seasons, bag limits, methods and means for the state’s subsistence, commercial, sport, guided sport, and personal use fisheries. The board sets fishery management policy, and makes the allocation decisions which the Department of Fish and Game must carry out through its management of fishery resources.
Johnson, of Clam Gulch, is a lifelong commercial fisherman who has been a salmon setnetter for most of his life. He has worked as a salmon and herring seiner and halibut longliner in Cook Inlet, and as a salmon seiner in Prince William Sound. Johnson has been active in fisheries management issues, having served more than a decade on the Kenai-Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee from the early 1990s to 2002, the last two years as chairman. He was a member of the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association board of directors from 1988-2001, and rejoined the board as president in 2005. Johnson is a past president and board member of the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association. His appointment represents the first appointment of a Cook Inlet commercial fisherman to the board since 1975.
Johnson has served on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission since 1997. He has also been president of Kasilof Regional Historical Association since 2005, and president of the Kenai Peninsula Historical Association since 2008. Born in Seldovia, he graduated from Ninilchik High School in 1973. He was appointed to a public seat.
Johnstone, of Anchorage, is a retired Superior Court judge who has been an active sport fisherman in Alaska since 1967. He fished commercially for salmon in Bristol Bay and herring in Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska in the 1980s. Johnstone earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree from the University of Arizona. He practiced law until 1979 when he was appointed Superior Court judge. Johnstone was appointed presiding judge of the Third Judicial District in 1990 and served in that position until his retirement in 1996. He has since had a limited practice as a lawyer, mediator and arbitrator. Johnstone was reappointed to a public seat.
Note: Brent Johnson will be replacing Bonnie Williams of Fairbanks. (KLH)
First legislative hearing on Johnson's BOF appointment, plus the Fishermen's Fun discussion - check it out!
Thursday April 9th 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Fisheries Committee Schedule
Governor’s Appointee to the Board of Fisheries
+ Brent G. Johnson
Review of Qualifications
Legislation
+* HB207—Maximum Benefit from Fishermen’s Fund (Trying to increase maximum payout from $2,500 to $10,000 - ATA Supports).
Dale, ATA
John Murray
2009-04-04 18:41:41
Will this appointment be a tough fight with the Kenai sports up in arms over another commercial fisherman on the BOF?Please keep us posted if this guy needs some support.
John Murray
2009-04-06 17:47:43
Guess I'll answer my own question after reading a hardcopy of ADN yesterday.On page A-8 there was a haft page add by the Cook Inlet Sportfishing Caucus"We must stop this confirmation by the legislature"Along with other choice propaganda and a drawing of a large commercial fish getting ready to swallow the tiny sport fish.Brought to you by none other than Bob Penney and two other of the Cook Inlet mob.They are asking for their supporters to contact their reps in Juneau.Anyway good to know where the other side coming from.
Salty
2009-04-08 01:24:56
Dear Senator Stedman,
I have received numerous phone calls, e-mails, and action alerts from fishermen friends and groups regarding the appointment of Brent Johnson to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. As you know I have been involved with fisheries politics since I sat in on troller meeting my father hosted at our house in 1960. I attended my first Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting in 1973 and have been pretty much involved in the Alaska fisheries since then.
It is critically important that we find the best possible people to serve on the Board. From all indications Mr. Brent Johnson is one of those rare individuals who combines a great deal of experience in the Alaska Board of Fisheries/Advisory Committee, Fish and Game Management system with good judgment. These qualified individuals are all too rare. Finding one willing to serve is even rarer. It is important for the well being of our Board system and fisheries conservation and sharing that the Legislature confirm these rare individuals when one manages to be nominated by the Governor and come before you.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I still have your pin on my hat from last fall. The only Republican pin among a host of Democratic ones.
Your friend,
Eric Jordan