NOMINATION CLOSING DATE: December 7, 2020
The Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative (AYK SSI) Steering Committee (SC) is seeking nominations for a qualified salmon scientist to fill a vacancy on our Scientific Technical Committee (STC), as outlined in the AYK SSI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). (see below)
The following information describes the nomination process, background, selection requirements and responsibilities for the STC member. Please use them as a guide in preparing and submitting nominations.
Nomination Process
We are seeking nominations for qualified salmon scientists from within the academic or private sector, per our MOU. STC members from the academic and private sector receive professional service fees as well as reimbursement for travel expenses.
Please provide a Letter of Interest/Support identifying the candidate’s name and contact information (mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address). Please describe the candidate’s area of expertise and relevant salmon research experience, and explain how this person fulfills the qualifications and responsibilities described below. Please attach a resume or curriculum vitae along with a list of relevant publications. Self-nominations are acceptable. Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm (AKST), December 7, 2020. Please note the scientist selected to serve on the STC will need to be available to participate in our 2021 proposal review process January – April 2021.
Nominations should be mailed, emailed, or hand delivered to the AYK SSI Steering Committee as below:
AYK Sustainable Salmon Initiative
Karen Gillis, Steering Committee Chair
karen@bsfaak.org
c/o Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association
821 N Street, Suite 103
Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 279-6519
STC Member Qualifications & Responsibilities
The information below is excerpted, in part, from the AYK SSI MOU and sets forth the structure and responsibilities for the Scientific Technical Committee.
- V. Scientific Technical Committee
- 1. STC Membership
The Scientific Technical Committee (STC) shall consist of six members nominated by the signatories to this MOU and the public. The Steering Committee shall select STC members from these nominations.
Members of the STC shall be selected based upon their knowledge, expertise and ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the STC as outlined in this agreement.
Membership shall represent scientific disciplines including, but not be limited to, fisheries sciences, socioeconomic sciences, aquatic habitat restoration, fish culture, marine ecology, freshwater ecology, community and population modeling, and population genetics. Members of the STC may be employed by the signatories to this MOU, and two members shall be ADF&G employees (one biologist, one social scientist from the Division of Subsistence). However, no more than one member may be employed by any one of these groups or a federal agency, the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association or a regional Native organization. At least two members must be selected from the private or academic sector.
In addition to relying on its official members, the STC may consult with other scientific and local-knowledge experts in the development of the Research and Restoration Plan.
- 2. STC Responsibilities
STC members will exercise their best independent professional judgment to advance understanding of salmon abundance and distribution in the AYK area and the fisheries they support, independent of the governmental, academic, or private sector they may represent.
The STC shall:
- Choose a Chair and Vice–Chair for the STC by consensus. The Chair will work closely with the Chair of the Steering Committee. The Vice Chair will act in the capacity of the Chair whenever the Chair is absent from a meeting.
- Develop recommendations for restoration projects that will increase salmon returns to the AYK area.
- Evaluate suggested projects based on their merit and make recommendations to the Steering Committee.
- Regularly review the Research and Restoration Plan and ongoing projects throughout the life of this MOU, including reviewing project design and the utility of continuing ongoing projects; making relevant recommendations to the Steering Committee to ensure research and restoration is conducted effectively and efficiently; and making recommendations for augmenting, updating and revising research questions.
AYK SSI Program Overview
Beginning in the late 1990’s, poor returns of Chinook and chum salmon to the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, and rivers draining into Norton Sound, have led to severe restrictions on commercial and subsistence fisheries and prompted sixteen state and federal disaster declarations.
In response to these salmon declines, Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association and regional Native organizations (Association of Village Council Presidents, Kawerak, Inc., and Tanana Chiefs Conference) joined with state and federal agencies to create the AYK SSI, a proactive science-based program working cooperatively to identify and address the critical salmon research needs facing this region. The AYK SSI is the largest salmon research coalition in the state and one of the largest, most diverse collaborative research efforts to rebuild salmon runs on the entire North Pacific coast.
The purpose of the AYK Sustainable Salmon Initiative is to foster expanded fishery research in order to help understand the causes of the declines and recoveries of AYK salmon stocks and to support sustainable salmon management in the region by:
- Identifying pressing research and information needs throughout the salmon lifecycle and by funding proposals related to the freshwater, near shore and marine phases of AYK salmon stocks, as well as research proposals spanning multiple life-history phases.
- Facilitating coordination and cooperation among research and management institutions by developing a dynamic, comprehensive, long range Research and Restoration Plan for the region.
The AYK SSI is governed by an eight-member Steering Committee and advised by a six-member Scientific and Technical Committee composed of members representing relevant scientific disciplines.