Alaskans Mourning The Death Of “Fish Czar”, Politician Clem Tillion

Clem Tillion was a legend in Alaska, and he lived a full life before passing away recently at the age of 96. Alaska Public Media had a touching tribute to Tillion:

Tillion served in the House and Senate for nearly 20 years. While there, he helped develop the state’s system to limit the number of permitted commercial salmon fishermen, in an effort to conserve declining stocks and keep fishing rights in Alaskans’ possession.

Much later, as “fish czar” for Gov. Wally Hickel, he got behind a system that divided up harvests of halibut and black cod into individual catch shares for fisherman — a move aimed at eliminating frenzied, derby-style fisheries where boats faced pressure to operate in dangerous weather.

Even into his 90s, Tillion continued working on fisheries issues as a paid lobbyist for the regional Alaska Native corporation for the Aleutian Islands.

Here are some more social media posts on Tillion: