Tag Archives: Alaska Gov. Bill Walker
Smoke-filled rooms
With the fishing season beginning in the 49th state, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has been holding private meetings to forge an agreement between commercial, sport and other fishing interests on how to manage salmon in Cook Inlet. The reason why is unclear. By law, the regulation of state fisheries falls solely under the jurisdiction of the Alaska Board of Fisheries. One of the first acts of the Alaska Legislature after Statehood in 1959 was to establish a Board of Fish and Game – later split into the separate boards for fish and wildlife management – to insulate resource decisions from backroom politicking. >click to read<10:37
Fishermen feel betrayed on habitat initiative
Three years ago, I remember a wave of optimism in the fishing community here in Southeast, as we rolled through the season and headed into an election for governor. For the first time in recent memory, we had a candidate who spoke our language. As someone who grew up on the coast in a fishing community, saw how Prince William Sound was devastated by the oil spill, and vowed to deliver “fish first” policies once in the governor’s office, Bill Walker claimed to understand our values. His selection of Byron Mallott as a running partner seemed to confirm that we had reason to be hopeful. Fishing communities voted for the Walker/Mallott ticket in droves. Today, I think I can speak for many fishermen: We feel betrayed. click here to read the op-ed 10:27
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker orders mariculture task force for shellfish and sea plants
Walker’s order responds to both economic and ecological concerns. The release touts the potential economic benefits to coastal communities and the Alaska fishing industry. Further, as ocean acidification continues to impact shellfish, Walker said the stocks need all the help they can get in recovering. “Mariculture represents a tremendous opportunity to diversify our economy, strengthen our coastal communities, and provide healthy food to the world by using sustainable practices that are a foundation of our current fishery resources,” said Walker in a release. “The goal of this task force is to bring key stakeholders together and determine how the state can help this industry prosper with Alaska-grown products.” Read the rest here 17:03
