Advisory Panel
The Council reappointed Angel Drobnica, Dan Donich, Craig Lowenberg, and Joel Peterson to three-year terms. Ben Stevens was appointed to fill out the remaining two years of Shannon Carroll’s term, and John Gruver was appointed for a one-year term. Newly appointed to the AP for three-year terms are, Gretar Gudmundsson, Jamie O’Connor and Erik Velsko.
Mr. Gudmundsson of Bainbridge Island, WA, has been active in the Bering Sea commercial fisheries and most recently in the crab fisheries. He serves as the Executive Director of the Alternative Crab Exchange. Ms. O’Connor, of Homer, AK is a commercial fisherwoman in the Bristol Bay area and is a Program Coordinator for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council. Mr. Velsko, also of Homer, AK, has participated in many commercial fisheries throughout the state, and is currently owner of Dangerous Cape Fisheries, LLC. We welcome them to the process and look forward to working together on issues in the coming year.
Scientific and Statistical Committee
All current members of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee, except for Robert Clark of ADF&G, were reappointed. SSC members serve one-year terms. Robert Clark is retiring from ADF&G, and the Council appointed Dr. Andrew Munro to replace him. Dr. Munro is a Fisheries Scientist with the Division of Commercial Fisheries and in this capacity has contributed to discussions before the Council for the past seven years.
The Council approved the following reappointments for a one-year term to the SSC: Dr. Chris Anderson, Dr. Mike Downs, Dr. Sherri Dressel, Dr. Jason Gasper, Dr. Dana Hanselman, Dr. Brad Harris, Dr. Anne Hollowed, Dr. George Hunt, Jr., Dr. Gordon Kruse, Dr. Dayv Lowry, Dr. Franz Mueter, Dr. Terry Quinn, Dr. Katherine Reedy, Heather Renner, Dr. Ian Stewart, and Allison Whitman. Additionally, Dr. Jennifer Burns will return to the SSC in October 2019, Dr. Amanda Bishop will serve on the SSC until Jennifer returns; Dr. Matt Reimer will return to the SSC in June 2019, and Dr. Ron Felthoven will serve on the SSC until Matt returns.
Clark Retires
Bob Clark receiving a plaque from NPFMC Executive Director David Witherell
Long-time SSC member, Robert Clark, was recognized by the Council for serving 11 years on the SSC representing the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Council’s Executive Director, David Witherell, presented him with a plaque thanking him for his service and dedication to the conservation and management of fisheries in the North Pacific. His expertise in Alaska fisheries and participation in the scientific peer-review process will be missed, and we wish him well in retirement.
Plan Teams
The Council appointed Dr. Anne Marie Eich to serve on the Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Team, replacing Ms. Brandee Gerke. Dr. Eich is the head of the Ecosystem Branch of the Sustainable Fisheries Division at the Alaska Regional Office, and has previously served as the Alaska Region lead for seabird/fisheries interactions.
The Council appointed Dr. Jim Fall to serve on the Social Science Planning Team, to fill an ADF&G seat reserved by the Council in October 2018. Dr. Fall is the Statewide Program Manager for the Division of Subsistence, where he plans, organizes, and monitors ADF&G’s social science research relative to subsistence hunting and fishing in Alaska communities. He holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin.
The Council appointed Mr. Andrew Kingham to serve on the BSAI Groundfish Plan Team, as a permanent replacement for the interim appointment of Ms. Jennifer Cahalan. Mr. Kingham is a Research Fishery Analyst in the AFSC Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division, bringing in-depth experience with the North Pacific Observer Program and emerging Electronic Monitoring programs.
Committees
The Council appointed Gretchen Harrington to replace Jon Kurland on the Council’s Ecosystem Committee.
The Council reappointed all members of the Pacific Northwest Crab Industry Advisory Committee (PNCIAC) to two-year terms, with the exception of Dale Schwarzmiller and Gary Stewart, who have stepped down. To replace them, the Council appointed Edward Poulsen and Mike Simpson. Jamie Goen has also been appointed to take over for Tyson Fick as non-voting Secretary.
Full membership is as follows: Lance Farr, Jamie Goen (non-voting, Secretary), Dean Fasnacht, Erling Jacobsen, Kevin Kaldestad, Steve Minor, Stefanie Moreland, Gary Painter, Edward Poulsen, Brett Reasor, Mike Simpson, Tom Suryan, Elizabeth Wiley.
