Balancing the fish board scales

  • Saturday, April 16, 2016 6:11pm
  • Opinion

How is it that a nominee to the Board of Fisheries can be the subject of outspoken opposition and fail to be confirmed one year, then be confirmed by without so much as a peep of opposition the next?

We’re thrilled to see Robert Ruffner of Soldotna confirmed to a seat on the Board of Fisheries. Ruffner, the former longtime executive director of the Kenai Watershed Forum, brings not just his extensive fish habitat experience to the board, but also an uncanny ability to bring groups with far different interests together to work toward a common goal. We’re hoping he can continue to do just that with the often contentious fish board process.

But why is it that half the Legislature thought he was the wrong person for the job last year, but had no objections this year? According to comments by some of those legislators, it all has to do with which seat he’ll be sitting in. Last year, the rationale goes, Ruffner was being appointed to a “sport fishing” seat, whereas this year, it’s a “commercial fishing” seat.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

That line of reasoning, quite frankly, makes us cringe. Lawmakers are essentially telling nominees that in order to be considered, they need to be beholden to a specific interest group. Indeed, during a Senate State Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Bill Wielechowski told the nominees as much when it comes to personal-use and sport fishing.

“I just really urge you all to consider that — consider the needs of hundreds of thousands of Alaskans who like to live that lifestyle,” Wielechowski said. “That’s an important issue. You’re our proxy when you go to vote. I urge you to strongly consider the needs of my constituents and the needs of Southcentral when you go to vote.”

Certainly, all three nominees, and the fish board as a whole, should consider the needs of personal-use and sport fishers with each proposal. But the board also should consider commercial fishing, and above all, should consider the fish. After all, without healthy runs, no one will be fishing.

We’re hopeful that moving forward, balance on the fish board will no longer be defined by two firmly entrenched sides on every issue, but rather by a group of policy makers who will each consider all aspects of an issue and come to a decision that provides a reasonable solution for all stakeholders.

We realize that’s a lofty goal, but for the long term sustainability of Alaska’s fisheries, we need to start thinking that way.

More in Opinion

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, discusses the status of school districts’ finances during a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Opinion: The fight to improve public education has just begun

We owe our children more than what the system is currently offering

President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. (Doug Mills/The New York Times file photo)
Opinion: Mistaking flattery for respect

Flattery played a role in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Life is harder when you outlive your support group

Long-time friends are more important than ever to help us cope, to remind us we are not alone and that others feel the same way.

Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)
Opinion: The key to a stronger fund: Diversification

Diversification is a means of stabilizing returns and mitigating risk.

A silver salmon is weighed at Three Bears in Kenai, Alaska. Evelyn McCoy, customer service PIC at Three Bears, looks on. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Will coho salmon be the next to disappear in the Kenai River?

Did we not learn anything from the disappearance of the kings from the Kenai River?

Jonathan Flora is a lifelong commercial fisherman and dockworker from Homer, Alaska.
Point of View: Not fishing for favors — Alaskans need basic health care access

We ask our elected officials to oppose this bill that puts our health and livelihoods in danger.

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: Public schools do much more than just teach the three Rs

Isn’t it worth spending the money to provide a quality education for each student that enters our schools?

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter to the Editor: Law enforcement officers helped ensure smooth, secure energy conference

Their visible commitment to public safety allowed attendees to focus fully on collaboration, learning, and the important conversations shaping our path forward.

Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo
The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources.
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

UAA Provost Denise Runge photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaskas Anchorage. (courtesy photo)
Opinion: UAA’s College of Health — Empowering Alaska’s future, one nurse at a time

At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we understand the health of our… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: A noncongressman for Alaska?

It’s right to ask whether Nick Begich is a noncongressman for Alaska.… Continue reading

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in