Alaska Department of Fish and Game Deputy Commissioner Charles Swanton Appointed as the Alaska Commissioner to the Pacific Salmon Commission
— ADF&G Press Release

Sam Cotten, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811-5526

Press Release: November 9, 2016

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Deputy Commissioner Charles Swanton Appointed as the Alaska Commissioner to the Pacific Salmon Commission

Friday, November 4, 2016, the White House officially appointed Alaska Department of Fish and Game Deputy Commissioner Charles O. Swanton as the Alaska Commissioner to the Pacific Salmon Commission. The Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) was formed in 1985, and serves as the primary oversight body for negotiation and evaluation of implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The Treaty is an international agreement between Canada and the United States. His reappointment representing Alaska in the decennial renegotiation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty is marked by his assuming the Chairmanship of the U.S. Section of the Commission. Mr. Swanton's vast management experience and scientific background have been paramount to his service as the head of the Alaska PSC Delegation and lead negotiator representing the interests of both our world recognized management professionals and the interests of our stakeholders.

The Pacific Salmon Commission is comprised of sixteen federally appointed Commissioners and Alternates representing the interests of three U.S. States, three Canadian Provinces, and Tribal interests of both nations. Four Commissioners and four alternates are appointed by the Government of the United States. Four Canadian Commissioners and four alternates are appointed by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. The Chair and Vice-Chair responsibilities alternate between the two countries each year.

Managers, policy makers, and public members representing stakeholder interests serve to provide advice for negotiations and evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of the specifics of this international agreement through their service on Panels and Committees within the PSC process.

Alaska is in a unique position to positively impact the outcome of this renegotiation with so many experienced public members and managers serving this process and Mr. Swanton at the helm of the U.S. Section as the ten year cycle for negotiations nears this year.

Information regarding the composition of the Commission and process may be found at these links:

Membership lists for the Commission, Panels, and Committees may be found here: http://www.psc.org/membership-lists/ .

The official White House announcement of Mr. Swanton's reappointment may be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/11/03/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts .