Unalaska, AK – The U.S. Commerce Department announced its picks for the North Pacific Fishery management Council today, and they don't line up exactly with Governor Sarah Palin's choices.

The department chooses appointees for the council's Alaska-specific seats based on recommendations of the governor, who nominates a preferred appointee and two alternates for each seat. Commerce appointed Palin's nomination for one of the seats, Kodiak fisherman Duncan Fields.

But for the seat being vacated by council chair Stephanie Madsen, the department chose alternate Sam Cotten over Beth Stewart, who Palin had named as her preferred choice.