News

Gov. Walker Names Sam Cotten as Acting Commissioner of Alaska Fish and Game

December 1, 2014

Juneau, AK – Dec. 1, 2014 – Governor Bill Walker today named Sam Cotten as Acting Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Cotten, a former Alaska lawmaker, recently worked as the fisheries analyst for the Aleutians East Borough since 2002. Cotten also served two terms (2007 – 2013) on the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. During his tenure, he advocated on behalf of coastal communities.
“It was an honor to be asked, and I’m pleased to respond to the governor’s request to take on the responsibilities as Acting Commissioner,” Cotten said.
“I think Governor Walker has picked the exact right person for the job of Acting ADF&G Commissioner,” said Ernie Weiss, Aleutians East Borough Director of Natural Resources. “Sam is a good person who has the right experience.  He will be a great steward of our fish & game resources to the benefit of all Alaskans.”

Cotten’s experience includes serving on the Alaska House of Representatives for 16 years (1975 – 1991). He was Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1989 – 1990. He also chaired committees on resources, finance, community & regional affairs and oil & gas during his tenure. In 1999, Cotten served as chairman of the Alaska Public Utilities Commission. 
“Alaska has a tradition of outstanding fish management practices, and I hope to continue that tradition as Acting Commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game,” Cotten said.

The Aleutians East Borough is the municipal government encompassing the southwestern portion of the Alaska Peninsula and a number of the easternmost Aleutian Islands. It extends 300 miles along the eastern side of the Alaska Peninsula and includes the communities of Sand Point, Cold Bay, King Cove, False Pass, Akutan and Nelson Lagoon. The communities are dependent on subsistence and commercial fishing. For more information, visit http://www.aleutianseast.org/ .