Alaska's seat on the halibut commission is open, and you can nominate yourself

The Alaska seat on the body that sets Pacific halibut catch limits is vacant, and nominations are due Sept. 14.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking an Alaska resident to serve as a United States commissioner to the International Pacific Halibut Commission. By law the United States has three commissioners: one NOAA official, one Alaska resident and one non-resident, each serving terms of up to two years.

The commission sets coastwide catch limits and season dates for Pacific halibut under a bilateral arrangement between the United States and Canada. Those decisions reach Alaska fishers through NOAA's Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and annual management measures, which divide the harvest among commercial quota holders, charter operators, sport anglers and subsistence users.

Some Alaska stakeholders have argued in comments to the commission and NOAA that catch sharing arrangements favor larger commercial and charter operations over subsistence and small-boat community access. The notice says Commerce seeks a balance of backgrounds among commissioners so that commercial, recreational, charter, subsistence and other users are represented, and it counts tribal, Community Development Quota and subsistence fishing as qualifying experience.

The job is unpaid and takes two or three trips a year. Nominations go in writing to Doug Duncan at the Sustainable Fisheries Division of NOAA's Alaska Region, at [email protected]. Packages need a resume showing halibut experience and Alaska residency. Self-nominations are accepted. Commerce evaluates them, and the President appoints.