ADFG Announces Art Nelson As Board Of Fisheries New Executive Director

The Alaska Board of Fisheries has a new executive director, Art Nelson, who’s been working in the state’s fisheries industry for a number of years. Here’s the press release from Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Welcomes Art Nelson as Board of Fisheries Executive Director

As the 2022-2023 Board of Fisheries (board) meeting cycle approaches, ADF&G is pleased to announce that Art Nelson has taken the position of Executive Director, replacing Glenn Haight who departed earlier this summer.

To this position, Mr. Nelson brings considerable experience with the board’s regulatory process from his past service on the board from 2003 to 2007, during which he served two years as chairman. He has also served as a public member on the Anchorage and Northern Norton Sound Advisory Committees.

Mr. Nelson has dedicated his career to Alaska’s fisheries. Prior to this new role, Art worked at ADF&G as an Information Officer for the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Before this, he worked for the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association, the At-sea Processors Association, the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, and Kawerak Incorporated. He has also worked as a private consultant on issues related to the Western Alaska Community Development Quota program.

Mr. Nelson’s other experience includes serving as a member of the Advisory Panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC), chair of the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative, and as a member of the NPFMC’s Steller Sea Lion Mitigation Committee.
Mr. Nelson will be based out of the Anchorage ADF&G office and can be reached at art.nelson@alaska.gov or at 907-267-2295.

The change in the position at Boards Support comes from Governor Dunleavey’s recent appointment of Glenn Haight to serve as Commissioner for the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission. Kristy Tibbles, Executive Director for the Board of Game, has accepted the role as head of the Boards Support Section.