A look at the new fisheries advisor

The Alaska Dispatch News ran a front-page article last week about the controversial appointment of the governor’s new fisheries advisor. Ben Mohr, a young man of 33, worked for the Pebble Partnership for several years and, most recently, as campaign manager for Dan Sullivan, the one running for the U.S. Senate, prior to this fisheries appointment. He brings little to no fisheries experience to his new position.

Mohr was criticized in that ADN article for exactly that reason — lack of fisheries experience. Roland Maw, executive director for the United Cook Inlet Drift Association, expressed concerns about the lack of experience and the Pebble Mine connection in Mohr’s work history. Maw also expressed concern that his organization was not asked their opinion prior to the appointment.

Ricky Gease, executive director of the Kenai River Sportfishing Association, had a different take on the appointment. Gease took a more positive approach by pointing out that Mohr’s participation with the National Conservation Leadership Institute was a plus since top fish and wildlife officials across the country attend. Mohr also graduated with a degree in outdoor studies from Alaska Pacific University. Gease further said the KRSA group was willing to give Mohr a chance and see how he does.

The controversial appointment caused comment from other groups across the country on both sides of the fishing industry, commercial and sport oriented.

Why am I telling you all this?

The day after the ADN story was published, two of us from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission, Larry Engel and I, had an opportunity to sit down with Mohr and discuss fisheries issues of concern to our Northern District.

We met at a coffeehouse in Palmer along with Ben Mulligan, Fish and Game’s liaison with the legislature. After introductions, Mohr asked for our thoughts on fisheries issues in Cook Inlet and, if we thought any changes were needed. He was already aware of Board of Fisheries changes made this past spring to the Central District drift management plan.

Larry explained the rational in why we proposed the changes we did to that management plan and the fact that the biology of salmon in our area (now eight of the 12 stocks of concern statewide) justified the need to change some management strategies. He further stressed the need for fisheries research funding to better understand fisheries problems in Cook Inlet and how to correct them.

Mohr was told about the nearly $10 million already invested in culvert repairs for fish passage in the borough, some of the pike eradication work which is ongoing, plans to remove or notch beaver dams in beneficial locations and other habitat work ongoing in the Northern District affecting salmon populations here.

Mohr mainly listened and took notes but did offer some comments and questions about different fisheries topics. We had some informal discussions about family, background, what Mohr’s position actually entails, fisheries political and legal issues, and such.

I admit I was impressed with Ben Mohr. For someone with no fisheries background and only one week on the job, he was coming up to speed very quickly on Cook Inlet concerns. To be in his position, he obviously has some political savvy and he displayed the ability to think on his feet in our discussions.

I don’t necessarily see the lack of fisheries background as a negative here. In Cook Inlet, the head-to-head combat between sports oriented and commercial oriented fisheries is decades old. Being an advisor to the governor and having a background in either camp would bias any advice, even with the best intentions of the advisor. I think having a fresh set of eyes, with no agenda supporting either side, presents a breath of fresh air to the whole process.

Mohr’s ability to quickly grasp background information regarding any fishery will be critical to his quality of advisement, but I think he is up to the challenge. I also get the impression that if a mistake is made, he will own up and take the responsibility while trying to correct the situation.

In any political appointment, most folks, myself included, tend to watch and see what happens. I think Mohr is willing to reach out to affected user groups in formulating his advice to the governor. I see that as a positive factor in, hopefully, putting aside some of our differences and finally seeing all Cook Inlet user groups begin to work together for the betterment of our salmon resources.

Howard Delo is a retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by emailing sports@frontiersman.com.