Many positions within ADF&G are appointed either by the Governor or Commissioner. Below is a list of appointed positions and details on the application and appointment process.
Members of both the Board of Game and Board of Fisheries are appointed on the basis of interest in public affairs, good judgment, knowledge, and ability in the field of action of the board, with a view to providing diversity of interest and points of view in the membership (see Alaska Statute 16.05.221). Interested applicants can apply through the Governor’s Boards and Commissions Office.
- The Alaska Board of Game is the state's regulatory authority that adopts regulations to conserve and develop Alaska's wildlife resources. The board has seven members, each appointed by the governor to a three year term. Each member must be confirmed by a joint session of the state legislature.
- Alaska Board of Fisheries
The Alaska Board of Fisheries is the state’s regulatory authority that adopts regulations to conserve and develop fishery resources. The board has seven members serving three-year terms. Similar to the Board of Game, members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature.
Management of Alaska’s Fish and Game resources involves the time and commitment of many dedicated individuals serving in appointed positions on various boards, councils, and panels. Many appointed positions are available to members of the public; others are served by government officials. You can now apply online for positions nominated or appointed by the governor.
- Commissioner of Department of Fish and Game (Appointment Process)
- Positions held by Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or designee:
- Pacific Salmon Commission
- North Pacific Fishery Management Council
- Pacific Fishery Management Council
- Bering Sea Fishery Advisory Board
- Alaska State Emergency Response Commission
- Wood-Tikchik State Park
- Alaska Timber Jobs Task Force
- Prince William Sound Spill Recovery Institute
- Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
- Oceans Sub-cabinet
- Rural Sub-cabinet
- Climate Change Sub-cabinet
- Natural Resources Sub-cabinet
The Pacific Salmon Commission is the body formed by the governments of Canada and the United States to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The commission is a sixteen-person body with four Commissioners and four alternates each from the United States and Canada, representing the interests of commercial and recreational fisheries as well as federal, state, and tribal governments. The Governments of Canada and the United States are each responsible for appointing representatives to serve on the Pacific Salmon Commission.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) is one of eight regional councils established by
the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1976 (which has been renamed the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act) to oversee management of fisheries in the nation’s Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ), which includes the waters from 3 miles to 200 miles offshore. With jurisdiction over the 900,000
square mile EEZ off Alaska, the Council has primary responsibility for groundfish management in the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), including cod, pollock, flatfish, mackerel,
sablefish, and rockfish species harvested mainly by trawlers, hook and line longliners, and pot fishermen.
Management of crab, scallops, and some rockfish species in the EEZ has been deferred to the State of Alaska.
- Local Fish and Game Advisory Committees (local elections)
The Northern Panel is one of four panels that provide technical and regulatory advice to the Pacific Salmon Commission. Each panel is made up of no more than six representatives and alternates from each country. Membership reflects a range of governmental and fishing interests. For more information see: .
The Transboundary Panel provides information and makes recommendations on Annex IV, Chapter 1 of the Pacific Salmon Treaty for stocks of salmon originating in the Alsek, Taku, and Stikine Rivers. These recommendations are for both in-river fisheries and terminal area fisheries for these rivers. The U.S. Section of the panel is comprised of seven members, six of whom are appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Five of the appointees are members of the public, recommended for appointment by the Governor of State of Alaska, who are knowledgeable and experienced in transboundary river salmon fisheries. For more information see: Pacific Salmon Commission - Transboundary Panel Fact Sheet.
The Yukon River Panel was established by treaty between Canada and the United States for conservation, management, and harvest sharing of Canadian-origin Yukon River salmon. The Yukon River Panel is comprised of 12 appointed individuals, six from each country. The process to be nominated to serve on the Yukon River Panel varies between the two countries. According to each country’s respective laws or policies, U.S. members serve four-year terms and Canadian members serve five-year terms. For more information see: Yukon River Panel Advisory Committee Fact Sheet and https://www.yukonriverpanel.com/.
The North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) was established under the Convention for the Conservation of Anadromous Stocks in the North Pacific Ocean, signed at Moscow on February 11, 1992 by Canada, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United States of America (original parties). The Convention entered into force on February 16, 1993. On May 27, 2003, the Republic of Korea deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention and became the fifth member of the NPAFC. Commissioners are nominated by the Governor of Alaska and appointed by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce for a four year term. For more information see: North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission Fact Sheet and http://www.npafc.org/new/index.html.
The Advisory Panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council is made up of people who have interest in the fisheries. Membership varies, and the Council appoints membership every year, varying from 20-23 members representing all aspects of Alaska's fisheries: the seafood processing industry, Community Development Quotas groups, environmental interests, commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen and others. Regional membership is also considered, to make sure every part of Alaska's fisheries is represented. For more information see: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/.