BETHEL -- A new Kuskokwim River tribal group is working toward a big goal: co-management of fisheries. And this week, tribes from up and down the river gathered in Bethel to take steps toward that.
Mike Williams, chairman of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, said Wednesday that the overall desire is "one unified management system for the whole river." Villages from Nikolai at the headwaters to Aniak mid-river to Eek near the mouth were represented.
The tribal commission negotiated a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that was signed Wednesday.
Still, the real player isn't part of the agreement. The state of Alaska generally manages the fisheries, making decisions on seasons and allowed gear, unless the federal government takes over to ensure subsistence priorities are met.
Eventually all three -- tribal, state and federal governments -- should manage Kuskokwim fisheries as a team, Williams said.
In the meantime, the memorandum signed by the federal government and tribes formalizes a partnership between them that aims to bring Alaska Natives to the decision-making table.
"We still have to refine it. It's new," said Ray Born, manager of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, who will also serve as the federal in-season fisheries manager for the area.
Last year, even without a formal agreement in place, his team had weekly meetings with the tribal commission's in-season managers.
The agreement requires him to consult with the tribal commission, engage the commission as a partner in management projects including research, and provide a written explanation if he goes against the commission's desires.
For its part, the tribal commission must keep villages informed about decisions on fishing, recognize the authority of the federal manager and "collaboratively manage fish in the Kuskokwim River drainage."
A separate group is operating on the Yukon River with a conservation focus. The Yukon-River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission this year called for protection of salmon spawning habitat and voluntary conservation by subsistence families on the river.
The Yukon tribes are trying to work as one to protect the fish for all, rather than fighting over the resource, according to Tanana Chiefs Conference president Victor Joseph.
The Yukon tribes are still working for an equal say in fish management. To that end, the Yukon commission has hired Stephanie Quinn-Davidson (formerly Schmidt) as its director. She had been working as the Yukon River in-season fishery manager for the state Department of Fish and Game.
Alaska tribes need to be confident and firm, and keep their eyes on the state and federal governments, Shawn Yanity, vice chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, which serves 20 tribes in western Washington, told the Kuskokwim group Wednesday in the gathering's keynote address.
"Let your voice be heard," he said.