John Jensen of Petersburg, center, chairs a January meeting of the Alaska Board of Fisheries in Sitka. (Emily Kwong/KCAW)
Alaska Governor Bill Walker has nominated residents of Petersburg and Seward to open seats on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
John Jensen of Petersburg and Andy Mezirow of Seward are Walker’s preferred candidates for the two seats. Mezirow already sits on the council. He’s also nominated for a seat on the International Pacific Halibut Commission. He owns a fishing charter business in Seward.
Jensen owns a boat rental business in Petersburg and been in commercial fisheries for decades. He’s also the chair of the state’s Board of Fisheries. Walker also submitted two alternate nominees for both seats.
The North Pacific Council is one of eight regional councils with oversight of fisheries in federal waters.
