NOAA seeks Alaska nominees for vacant U.S. halibut commissioner seat

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

The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a call for nominations for a resident of Alaska to serve as a United States commissioner to the International Pacific Halibut Commission. The notice was filed Aug. 21 and publishes Monday. By law the United States has three commissioners: one NOAA official, one Alaska resident and one non-resident, all 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. Subsistence halibut regulations for Alaska are codified at 50 CFR part 300, and fishers must hold a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate before harvesting under them.

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 in background 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 must be in writing to Doug Duncan, Sustainable Fisheries Division, National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, or to [email protected], or by phone at 907-266-1158. Packages need a resume showing halibut experience and Alaska residency. Self-nominations are accepted. Commerce evaluates them, and the President appoints.