NOAA Fisheries Seeking Nominations For Alaska Salmon Task Force

The following is courtesy of NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is seeking nominations to serve on an Alaska Salmon Research Task Force. We encourage all interested parties to submit nominations for membership. The task force will conduct a review of Pacific salmon science relevant to understanding salmon returns in Alaska. It will identify scientific research gaps in understanding the Pacific salmon life cycle in Alaska. NOAA must convene the task force by March 29, 2023.

Salmon are an essential element for the well-being and health of Alaskans and Alaska fisheries. People of Indigenous heritage have a unique relationship with salmon, relying on them for subsistence, traditional, and cultural practices. This is an important opportunity to collaborate and coordinate, bringing together Western science and Indigenous and Local Knowledge for Pacific salmon conservation efforts in Alaska. It will help ensure the sustainability of this critical resource.

Representatives on the Task Force

The Secretary of Commerce will appoint a representative from NOAA, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the United States section of the Pacific Salmon Commission. There will also be two to five representatives from  the following categories, appointed with regard to differences in regional perspectives and experience:

• Residents of Alaska who possess personal knowledge of, and direct experience with, subsistence uses in rural Alaska (at least two representatives)
• Alaska fishing industry representatives throughout the salmon supply chain, including from directed commercial fishing, recreational fishing, charter fishing, seafood processors, salmon prohibited species catch (bycatch) users, or hatcheries

There will be five representatives who are academic experts in salmon biology, salmon ecology (marine and freshwater), salmon habitat restoration and conservation, or comprehensive marine research planning in the North Pacific.

The Governor of Alaska will appoint one representative from the State of Alaska who is knowledgeable about the State of Alaska’s salmon research efforts.

Task Force Meetings

The task force will have several virtual and potentially in-person (with hybrid options) meetings throughout the 1-year period. It will produce a report to Congress after one year. The report will describe the scientific review undertaken and recommendations for filling knowledge gaps that warrant further scientific inquiry.

To submit a nomination or for more information, please contact Ed Farley (Ed.Farley@noaa.gov). 

Deadline for submitting nominations is March 10, 2023.

More Information

• Information on the Task Force