The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is seeking nominations for advisors to the Alaska Commissioners for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

PSMFC Background

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) was created in 1947 by an interstate compact as one of three interstate marine fishery commissions in the United States. PSMFC helps resource agencies and the fishing industry sustainably manage Pacific Ocean resources in six member states: Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. PSMFC accomplishes this through coordinating research activities, monitoring fishing activities, and facilitating a wide variety of projects that benefit resource management in member states. PSMFC has no regulatory or management authority but works to address fishery issues of mutual interest to member states that are outside the jurisdiction of the states, federal fishery management councils, or international treaties. A list of current PSMFC programs can be found here.

Each PSMFC member state is represented by three Commissioners: one Commissioner is appointed by the State Legislature, one is a private citizen with knowledge of and interest in fisheries appointed by the Governor, and one is a State Fishery Director. The Commissioners provide policy guidance and direction to PSMFC.

PSMFC Advisors

Each PSMFC member state may have up to seven advisors selected by their Commissioners. Advisors represent each state’s fishing interests and fishing communities. Alaska advisors provide input and advice to the Alaska Commissioners on fishery issues relevant to PSMFC. Advisors receive quarterly updates from PSMFC and are expected to attend two meetings per year, one in-state meeting and the annual PSMFC meeting held in one of the member states, typically in late summer or early fall. PSMFC pays travel expenses for advisors to attend these meetings.

The Alaska Commissioners currently have five advisors and have expressed interest in soliciting nominations for one or more additional advisors. In particular, the Commissioners encourage nominations for individuals representing subsistence and recreational fishery user groups.   

Persons interested in being considered for a PSMFC advisor position should send a brief statement of interest along with a summary of knowledge and experience related to Alaska fisheries by September 27, 2026 to: dfg.dcf.psmfcadvisor@alaska.gov

Questions can be directed to Darion Jones at darion.jones@alaska.gov