Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has appointed veteran commercial
fisherman Sam Cotten as acting Commissioner of Fish and Game. The governor said
Cotton is among those under consideration for a permanent commissioner
appointment.
Cotten served two terms on the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council, and has fished for salmon in Kachemak Bay for many years. He
was most recently a fisheries analyst for the Aleutians East Borough.
He has served on several fisheries related boards and been
an advisor in fisheries negotiations between the United States and Russia.
Cotton also served 16 years in the Alaska House and two in
the Senate. From 1989 to 1990 he was Speaker of the House.
Cotton replaces ADF&G Commissioner Cora Campbell.
Walker praised Cotten for his long history of public
service, saying he is confident that Cotten’s strong fisheries background and
legislative experience will guide the state through a critical transition
period.
Outgoing Gov. Sean Parnell meanwhile made several fisheries
related appointments to various boards just three days before Walker took
office.
Parnell appointed to the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
board veteran fish harvester and seafood cookbook author Tomi Marsh of
Ketchikan and Allen Kimball, of Seattle, executive vice president of
international sales for Trident Seafoods.
Parnell also appointed David Reggiani, general manager of
Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corp., to the state’s Marine Transportation
Advisory Board.