Doug Morgan (Seat A Candidate - Alaska Resident)

Doug Morgan

F/V Miss Emma
demorgan33@gmail.com
907-350-7344

Seat A – Doug Morgan’s Candidate Statement

I have served the fleet on the BBRSDA board for the last three years and I am running for re-election in the Alaska Resident seat. As a lifelong Alaskan and a third-generation fisherman my goal is to help ensure that the generations to come have more opportunity for success than we have had prior. The BBRSDA, if properly utilized, can help. Focusing our energy on projects that have long-term direct benefit to the drift fleet and striving for complete transparency with our members, we are moving in the right direction.

It has been an interesting three years thus far with many challenges and a lot to unpack learning how this all works. We, the staff and board, have made many changes and improvements to the operation over the last three years and things are running as smoothly now as could be asked for. I joined this organization to verify that the money taken from our fleet was being used in a manner that is beneficial to us, the drift fleet, and I can state that yes, now it currently is.

With the downturn in funding we have refocused the reduced budget to address issues that directly impact us the fishermen, we have moved the marketing program inhouse rather than outsourcing profits to private companies, we have worked to keep our legal bills down and only seeking legal counsel for things that benefit the drift fleet and have focused on programs that have direct, tangible benefits to the drift fishermen. BBRSDA staff has risen to the challenge and with new leadership is focused and thriving in a stable, supportive environment.

By balancing the reduced budget, we have been able to direct funding towards investment in a potential improvement to the technology being used to count the King Salmon and other species in the Nushagak river. We have continued to support the Port Moller test fishery as well. The threat of the Pebble Mine has also not gone completely dormant; there are ongoing issues that continue to linger and require attention and financial response.

With the progress that has been made, this isn’t the time to start over with the board, the current board is working together very well and are challenging each other to ensure that we are putting the fleets’ benefit first. There is more to be done, and I would like to see it through for another term if you will have me.

Doug Morgan
demorgan33@gmail.com
907-350-7344

Seat A – Doug Morgan’s Responses to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. Why do you want to be a BBRSDA board member?

    I have been on the board for one three year term already and we have made many changes and are making headway on projects that will benefit the fleet for many years to come. The board is working well together now and are similar minded on our goals and also respectfully pursuing what is deemed best for the fleet.

  2. What do you think is the most important mission for the BBRSDA and why?

    To put more money in our fleets pockets. We all work hard and have a lot at risk for this industry. Using the money collected from the fleet to fund Port Moller test fishery, Marketing, and now researching updated fish counting projects should benefit us all. This should assure that we can harvest more of the available surplus of the fishery and financially benefit from the upturn in the Sockeye retail market.

  3. In your view, what are three priorities the BBRSDA should focus on (within the legal limits referred to above) and why?

    1. Transparency. This organization belongs to the fleet, and the board members who are all paying members as well need to make sure that we operate in the open.

    2. Finding ways to make the fleet more money, either through raising prices, cutting fleet costs, or finding ways to curb foregone harvest and make more fish available for harvest.

    3. Continuing to protect the fishery from outside threats like Pebble and the commercial guide lobbyists who have already devastated the Cook Inlet salmon fishery.

  4. The BBRSDA's Strategic Plan lists specific strategies for maximizing the value of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery.  Do you believe those strategies are an effective guide for accomplishing that goal, and if not, how should they be modified?

  5. Please explain your position on the Pebble Mine project.

    Opposed. Have been for decades.

  6. Is there another issue that you would like to respond to?