If you are a commercial fishing permit holder in the Cook Inlet region, it’s time to vote for candidates in the “at-large” election for Inlet-Wide seats on the board of the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA).
During the last week of November, CIAA mailed ballots to all Cook Inlet (Area H) Salmon Limited Entry Permit Holders. They now have until January 13, 2023 (post marked) or January 16, 2023 (hand delivered) to return their marked ballots to the CIAA office in Kenai.
Of the 28 Director’s seats, five Inlet Wide Commercial Fishermen Representatives are nominated and elected “at-large” by all permit holders. Each representative serves a three-year team. Two seats are set to expire at the 2023 CIAA Annual Meeting.
All current Area H Salmon Limited Entry Permit Holders were informed of the nominating process in October. Through the nominating process, three Director/Alternate pairs were nominated to run for the two at-large seats currently available.
In the running are the Director/Alternate teams of Matt Hockema/Cory Loos, Wesley J. Humbyrd/Nancy Hillstrand, and Camron Hagen/Ashton Callahan. All of these candidates, if elected, would be new to the CIAA Board of Directors.
CIAA will announce the results of the election and all candidates will be notified by late January. The newly-elected directors will begin serving their three-year terms at the Annual Meeting, held on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Here are the candidate biographies received by CIAA so far:
Wesley J. Humbyrd: Director (running with Nancy Hillstrand)
Place of residence
Homer, Alaska
Boat name(s)
Maria B
Salmon permit(s) held in Area H
Drift Gillnet for 53 years
Group affiliations
United Cook Inlet Drift Association
Brief biography
I started gillnetting Cook Inlet in 1968 on F/V Sheri. Fished all species of crab and salmon in Cook Inlet since then except for 5 years when I was Assistant Boat Officer on the research vessel Pandalus.
Why do you want to serve on the CIAA Board of Directors?
So we can produce more fish for the permit holder in Upper Cook Inlet. They pay the lion’s share of the 2% fish tax and get 1% of the fish raised by CIAA.
What do you feel are the most important issues CIAA should be addressing?
Pay down the debt; you can’t borrow yourself out of debt. Start living within your means.
Community service activities
UCIDA member 20+ years, ADFG Advisory Board – Homer 2nd term, participated in oil response for SERVS 20 + years, participated in oil response for CISPRI, Elks member 45 years, National Federation of Basketball Officials 35 years, Alaska School Activities Association Gold Card receipt for life retired basketball official (still do evaluations of officials), help coach boys basketball for Nanwalek
Additional information
I used to fly in and do egg takes at Tutka and know a lot about fisheries in 3H
Nancy Hillstrand: Alternate (running with Wesley J. Humbyrd)
Place of residence
Homer, Alaska
Salmon permit(s) held in Area H
- Set net permit since 2006
- Processor Fisheries Business License since 1991
- Tender license to transport salmon
Group affiliations
- Kachemak Bay State Park Advisory Board
- Kachemak Bay Watershed Collaborative
- Kenai Watershed Forum
- Kenai Habitat Partnership
- Kachemak Bay Research Reserve charter member of the Board 8 years
- Homer Fish and Game Advisory 17 years
Brief biography
- Pioneer Alaskan Fisheries Inc (58 years as an Alaskan fisheries corporation) commercially fished with my husband for salmon, salmon tendering, herring, herring tendering, crab.
- Coal Point Trading Company (30 years processing Area H salmon, primarily wild upper inlet sockeye and coho) halibut, cod, sablefish, shrimp, crab. Processor for Commercial fishermen direct marketers, sport, personal use.
- Fish Market, internet sales, cannery, Smokery, oyster bar shipping nationally.
F/V Sea Gal 2005-2017 rigged to tender upper inlet - ADFG 1978-1999- habitat restoration Chenik, initial research, limnology Paint River, Chenik, Karluk, many Afognak salmon systems. Hatcheries Kitoi, Tutka, sitkusuliaq for all five species of salmon and two trout species.
Why do you want to serve on the CIAA Board of Directors?
I want to serve on the Board of Directors to help design an efficient and feasible business plan that
aligns and reflects The mission statement of self perpetuating wild salmon populations.
- Places wild salmon as the state priority mandate
- Fairly and honestly serves all area H shareholders within their means not just a small segment of permit holders
- Cut the losses from overextending activities that create debt to all area H permit holders
Evaluate a new transparent honest up front feasible alternative to begin the process to get the permit holders out of debt and pay back loans as per the statutes. - Stop perpetuating burdens on all permit holders who are unwittingly responsible for exorbitant debts
- Bring serious financial transparency back into the CIAA Annual reports with detailed financial statements and clear explanations without resorting to marketing tactics, so shareholders can become clearly aware what the Board of Directors is doing with their money and where the inefficiencies are coming from.
- Presently most shareholders have no idea they are in so much debt.
- Inclusion of the public in decision making giving adequate time for question and answer public comment outside of meetings before monetary decisions or new activities are made that places liens on the public’s permits.
- Tighten CIAA belt to live within its means by first acknowledging it is not PWS nor SEAK and is blessed with world class wild sockeye salmon populations it needs to protect as its first priority.
- Help put together an honest transparent cost benefit analysis for each hatchery separately so all shareholders can clearly understand what activities are feasible and what are not.
- Brings balance back to the Board so all constituencies are represented.
- Bring a fish culturist perspective to the board that evaluates genetics, disease, competition, food web, and ecosystem considerations.
What do you feel are the most important issues CIAA should be addressing?
The most important issues are to protect wild self perpetuating salmon populations by grasping ecosystem management and the food web in fresh, estuarine, and marine waters, replacing culverts that are blocking spawning habitat, designating known critical productive spawning habitat for all species in Cook Inlet anadromous waters and consider the estuarine nursery areas of all wild fisheries that benefit from early life stages in this critical areas.
Camron Hagen: Director (running with Ashton Callahan)
Place of residence
Homer, Alaska
Boat name(s)
- Tender vessel-Kachemak Provider
- F/V Phosphorescence
- F/V Grit
Salmon permit(s) held in Area H
Purse seine permit 11 years
Brief biography
I grew up in Homer, Alaska. We were a family of eight. We were raised from a young age to work hard, explore, learn, laugh and have fun in all things. I started fishing at 18 years old. I have done my best to implement all those things into what I do now. I had the privilege to deck hand for a number of years until finally it felt time to take the next step. I purchased my first boat in 2014 and the rest is history. I fell in love with the lifestyle, the work, the culture, the water. I want to continue to learn and grow and give back.
Why do you want to serve on the CIAA Board of Directors?
I want first of all to learn, and study. I want to apply myself. In the area that I am able I would like to give back. If this way of life is going to continue and have some longevity so that our grandchildren can thrive in it we have to cultivate that. We have to nurture that give back to it even if all we have to give is just a little bit of time and energy. I can be an optimist. I also like finding solutions and or efficient ways to do things because I tend to do things the hard way.
If elected starting out I think that would be my first goal, Learning, listening, being positive, and contributing where I can.
What do you feel are the most important issues CIAA should be addressing?
CIAA first priority should be its future and I would start there.
There breaks down into where CIAA is focusing its efforts as a whole. For the longevity, where can it be most effective for CIAA to focus its energy and money. Sustainability!
Ashton Callahan: Alternate (running with Camron Hagen)
Place of residence
Homer, Alaska
Boat name(s)
Brass monkey and Hanta Yo
Salmon Permit(s) held in Area H
- Drift gillnet 8 years
- Purse seine 6 years
Group affiliations
Lower Cook Inlet Seiners Assoc. and UCIDA
Brief biography
I was born in Homer and have deck handed most all salmon areas in AK. I live in Homer and Cook Inlet is my home waters so when I bought in this was where I wanted to invest and spend my days fishing.
Why do you want to serve on the CIAA Board of Directors?
I wish to serve as an alternate to stay involved in the future of this district and not see it get lost to outside interests and poor management. I plan to fish here for many seasons to come and pass on to my children this opportunity.
What do you feel are the most important issues CIAA should be addressing?
Financial stability is pressing matter number one so that this association doesn’t dissolve. Getting the hatcheries to fulfill production so that we do generate the revenue we need. Continue to combat the sport and false environmental interests that continue to mismanage the salmon resources.
Additional information
I work in the off season as a general contractor which gives me experience with managing projects, people and budgets.
Matt Hockema: Director (Running with Cory Loos)
Place of residence
Homer, Alaska
Boat name(s)
East Rip
Salmon permit(s) held in Area H:
Drift Gillnet for 11 years
Group affiliations
United Cook Inlet Drift Association
Brief biography
I grew up commercial fishing prior to joining the Coast Guard in 1982. I retired from the Coast Guard in 2003, and then operated a fishing charter business for 7 years. I have been gillnetting in Cook Inlet for 11 years.
Why do you want to serve on the CIAA Board of Directors?
To help influence the direction of CIAA to equally benefit all commercial fishermen in Cook Inlet.
What do you feel are the most important issues CIAA should be addressing?
Proper enhancement of salmon returns in Cook Inlet for all commercial user groups. Ensuring responsible financial decisions by promoting financially self-sustaining enhancement projects.
Community service activities
Homer Elks Lodge #2127 Veterans Committee and Representative for the Elks National Veterans service commission.
Additional information
I have not served on other boards. My knowledge comes from financially managing large shipyard contracts while serving in the Coast Guard & owning and operating my own business for 18 years. All involved time management, project managing of boat repairs & vessel maintenance, as well as financials. I also have extensive knowledge on enforcement of federal fisheries laws in Alaska as required with my service in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Cory Loos: Alternate (Running with Matt Hockema)
Place of residence
Homer, Alaska
Boat name(s)
Molly S and Redoubt
Salmon Permit(s) held in Area H:
Drift gillnet 9 years
Brief biography
Moved to Homer in 2009. Have sport and commercial fished here in Homer since 2009.
Why do you want to serve on the CIAA Board of Directors?
To better the local fishery.
What do you feel are the most important issues CIAA should be addressing?
Political issues affecting the fishery.
Additional information
Invested/participate in both local & commercial fisheries.
