Johnstone Resigns Fish Board Chairmanship

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The chairman of the Board of Fisheries has resigned after concerns were raised with the board’s process for nominating candidates for Fish and Game commissioner.

Grace Jang, a spokeswoman for Gov. Bill Walker, says Walker spoke with Karl Johnstone Tuesday. She said Walker shared concerns with the process the board undertook in evaluating candidates and said he wanted new ideas.

She said Johnstone resigned when Walker told him he wouldn’t keep Johnstone on the board when his term expires in June.

The boards of fisheries and game last week sent the name of one finalist to Walker for consideration as commissioner, that of acting commissioner Sam Cotten.

While the Board of Game had voted to interview another candidate, the Board of Fisheries declined, raising questions about their selection process.