Alaska's Governor Nominates 2 Men to Sit on the North Council

Late Friday afternoon Alaska Governor Sean Parnell announced his picks to fill a couple of seats on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The choices are sure to spark some discussion among stakeholders. Duncan Fields from Kodiak is completing his second term on the Council. He's the vice President of Natural Resources and Community Development for the Old Harbor Native Corporation and is a technical advisor for the Gulf of Alaska Coastal Communities Coalition. The new person nominated by the Governor to sit on the North Council is David Long from Wasilla. He's a veteran commercial fishermen and is a licensed master of oceans. He was chosen ahead of incumbent council member Sam Cotton from Eagle River.      Cotton is a former member of the Alaska Legislature and many people were lobbying for both Cotton and Fields to be re-nominated by the Governor. Along with the names of Duncan Fields and David Long Governor Parnell has chosen 2 alternate nominees to sit on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Stefanie Moreland is currently a special assistant to the Governor and formally served as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. The other alternate nominee is John Moller. He is also a special assistant to the Governor. The names of all of the nominees have been sent to the Secretary of Commerce who will ultimately choose the 2 people who will sit on the Council.