The governor’s appointees to the Board of Fisheries have passed through the Senate Resources Committee.
Soldotna’s Robert Ruffner said his family history of fishing and background in conservation have spurred him to take the position in an effort to help forward the sustainability of Alaska’s fish.
Senator Bill Wielechowski asked his opinion of personal use priority.
Ruffner stated that as a personal use fisherman…
Ruffner: “I appreciate the sentiment of a priority for the dipnet fishery but I’m also very concerned about that. And the reason I’m concerned about that as a potential member of the Board of Fisheries is, as I mentioned the sustainable salmon policy and a little excerpt that I believe very strongly in that the legislature has given us to guide our decisions is that, “The burden of conservation should be shared among all fisheries in close proportion to each fisheries perspective use.”
Senator Bill Stoltz asked Ruffner what the difference was between himself and the governor’s prior appointment, Roland Maw, after noting many of the same supporters for both.
Ruffner: “I have zero financial interest in commercial fish, so there’s one clear distinction from the previous nominee.”
Kenai’s Manager Rick Koch, Vice Mayor Brian Gabriel, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre all testified in Juneau to support Ruffner.
The Board of Fish appointments of Ruffner and Orville Huntington, who was also interviewed today, were both forwarded and now must be approved by a full vote.