Alaska2026Passed Legislature

SB269

Restructuring the Alaska Board of Fisheries into Three Regional Boards

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law changes how the state manages fish by splitting one large board into three smaller regional boards with specific geographic areas.

Creates three new regional boards: Southeast, Central, and Western Boards of Fisheries.
Sets each regional board to have five members appointed by the governor and confirmed by a majority of the legislature in joint session.
Requires that each regional board include one member from commercial fishing, one from sport fishing, one from subsistence or personal use fisheries, and two public members.
Assigns specific bodies of water to each board based on whether they drain into the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, or Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.
Allows regional boards to share control if a fishery crosses into more than one region.
Requires all three regional boards to meet together at least once a year to address statewide issues.
Authorizes each board to hire one clerical assistant.

The exact boundaries for each region will be set later by the commissioner in regulations.
Current board members continue serving their original terms until they end, even after this law takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Plain language

Regional Boards: Smaller groups that manage fish rules for a specific part of the state instead of one group managing everything.
Quorum: A majority of members must be present to hold business, but a majority of all full board members is needed to pass motions or regulations.

Official record

Validated

BOARD OF FISHERIES An Act restructuring the Board of Fisheries; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity