Unalaska, AK – This afternoon Governor Sarah Palin nominated six candidates for two open seats on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Palin's choices are Duncan Fields, Jeff Stephan, Gale Vick, Beth Stewart, Nancy Munro and Sam Cotten.

Duncan Fields is a longtime commercial fisherman. Jeff Stephan served on the council in the '80s and is currently the chairman of the council's IFQ Implementation and Cost Recovery Committee. Gale Vick is the executive director of the Gulf of Alaska Coastal Communities Coalition. Beth Stewart is a former council advisory panel member who works for the Aleutians East Borough. Nancy Munro heads Saltwater Inc., one of the major fisheries observer companies. Sam Cotten is a former state legislator and House speaker who is currently a resource analyst with the Aleutians East Borough.

The governor's nominations will go to the U.S. Department of Commerce, which decides on who will fill the seats. The selected candidates will replace Doug Hoedel and council chair Stephanie Madsen, whose terms expire in August.