Council, Assembly Discuss Joint Fisheries Consultant Hire

Maggie Wall/KMXT

A joint City-Borough workgroup recommended a local fisheries expert as the top contender to advise local lawmakers on fish issues.

But, some assembly members and council members still are not convinced they want to hire a fisheries advisor.

KMXT’s Maggie Wall has more.

— (Fish Consultant 4:59 SOC)

Members of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly and the Kodiak City Council continue to have mixed reactions to a plan to hire a fisheries to keep local decision makers abreast of fish issues that may affect the community.

Last night the four-member joint work group presented its recommended candidate for the position based on two proposals received in response to a recent Request for Proposal. The work group recommended local fisheries expert and former Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Denby Lloyd as the candidate for the position.

Lloyd’s firm – Alaska Resource Consultancy – was one of two that responded. The other was a Seattle law firm.

Assemblywoman Sue Jeffrey said hiring a fisheries consultant was long overdue for a community that whose backbone is fishing.

City Councilman John Whiddon said he was an early supporter of the idea, but was now rethinking his position for a couple reasons:

-((John Whiddon rethinking :30 "One is that…different ways."))

But Jeffery, a local set netter said fishermen may disagree, but it’s the assembly’s responsibility to look at the community as a whole – and that means keeping the fishing economy strong:

-((Sue Jeffrey on fishermen :50 Fishermen are…recreational facilities."))

Councilman Gabriel Saravia said he’s not ready to support hiring a fisheries consultant. He said if it’s important, fishermen can ask for it.

Assemblywoman Louise Stutes, whose husband is a fisherman, had a similar take and said fishermen need to take ownership of local fish issues:

-((Louise Stutes :55 "And I agree…from their prospective."))

But Assemblywoman Carol Austerman said the community needs to quit being reactive and start being proactive on fisheries issues:

-((Carol Austerman Know it was coming :36 "One of the ….know it was coming."))

In the end the group decided they would proceed forward until they reach a point where the issue can be voted up or down. To that end they will prepare questions to ask Lloyd about his proposal and meet again as some future date.

I’m Maggie Wall.

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