June 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Communities Raise Concern Over North Pacific Council Appointments and Loss of Stakeholder Representation
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. Department of Commerce announced new appointments to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) last week, including Forrest Bowers of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) to fill an Alaska seat and Chad See from Washington’s Freezer Longline Coalition to fill a Washington seat.
Alaska Marine Community Coalition (AMCC) expressed concern that the Alaska appointment further narrows independent stakeholder representation on a Council responsible for some of the nation's most consequential fisheries management decisions. “Mr. Bowers is a highly qualified and respected professional,” said Michelle Stratton, Executive Director of AMCC. “Our concern is not with his qualifications. Our concern is that this seat exists to broaden stakeholder representation, not duplicate expertise the State of Alaska already brings to the Council.”
Under federal law, the Commissioner of ADFG, or the Commissioner's designee, already serves as a voting member of the Council. The additional appointed seats are intended to provide perspectives beyond those already represented through the state’s statutory seat. “There are not enough seats on the Council to represent every stakeholder group,” Stratton said. “So it’s critical that, with the few we do have, we take every opportunity to appoint voices that diversify the Council's views. Instead, an Alaska appointment that could have strengthened stakeholder representation has added a second state-agency voice.”
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council develops fishery management plans for federal waters off Alaska and plays a central role in overseeing some of the nation’s largest commercial fisheries. Council appointments influence whose experience, priorities, and concerns are represented when decisions are made about bycatch, habitat protections, allocation, conservation, salmon and crab recovery, and the long-term resilience of Alaska fisheries.
AMCC also expressed disappointment that Washington Council member Jamie Goen, Executive Director of the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers, was not reappointed. Goen brought firsthand experience representing Alaska's crab fisheries during a period of unprecedented fishery closures and ongoing rebuilding efforts.
AMCC noted that Goen was Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s first-choice nominee, received support from members of both the Washington and Alaska congressional delegations, and gathered more than 60 professional letters of support representing a broad cross-section of fisheries interests, including support from the Freezer Longline Coalition, whose representative was ultimately appointed.
"Although the Secretary of Commerce is not required to appoint a governor's first-choice nominee, it’s notable when a nominee with this level of regional and bipartisan support is not selected," Stratton said. “Our concern extends beyond any one appointment. It reflects the continued loss of independent stakeholder perspectives on the Council at a time when Alaska’s fisheries face significant challenges.”
AMCC believes the appointments continue a broader shift away from active fishermen and community-based representatives serving on the Council and its Advisory Panel. The organization called on the Department of Commerce to recommit to a Council appointment process that preserves balanced stakeholder representation and ensures that active fishermen, small-boat harvesters, salmon experts, subsistence users, Tribal communities, conservation advocates, and coastal residents have meaningful representation in federal fisheries decision-making. In particular, AMCC is calling for the Department to honor regional nominations that have substantial support from local stakeholders.
“Alaska’s fisheries belong to the public,” Stratton said. “They support communities, cultures, economies, and ecosystems across this state. The Council appointment process must reflect that responsibility.”
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ABOUT ALASKA MARINE COMMUNITY COALITION
Alaska Marine Community Coalition is a fishermen-founded and fishermen-led organization working to advance sustainable fisheries, healthy marine ecosystems, and thriving fishing communities across Alaska. AMCC works to promote accountable fisheries management, protect marine habitat, strengthen community-based fishing access, and ensure that Alaska’s fisheries remain resilient for future generations. For more information, visit akmarine.org, or follow us on Instagram (@ak.marine), Facebook (@AlaskaMarine), and (LinkedIn).