Board of Game
Dear Editor: The Alaska Board of Game recently held their Southeast Alaska session in Sitka Jan. 10-15.
Many of the board members are from other areas of the state and for some it was their first visit to Sitka. I would like to thank the following individuals, organizations and businesses for their efforts to welcome and showcase our community: Sitka Mayor Mim McConnell, Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau, Alaska Raptor Center, Fortress of the Bear, New Archangel Dancers, and the SitNiks.
The Board of Game doesn’t always get the opportunities to visit the highlights in a community. They were sincerely impressed by Sitka’s talent and hospitality.
Phil Mooney,
Sitka Area Management Biologist
Hunter Education
Dear Editor: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently sponsored a basic hunter education class Jan. 26-27. The Department would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance and contributions – instructors Vaughn Hazel, Tim Hall, Jacob Abbott, Evan Bordenkircher and volunteer Sheldon Turner.
The Sitka Sportman’s Association again generously donated the use of their facilities for the classroom work and live fire qualification. Thanks to all the individuals involved, 10 students attended and successfully passed the class.
Those wishing to sign up for the next class may do so at the local Fish and Game office.
Phil Mooney,
Sitka Area Management Biologist
Stop GMO Salmon
Dear Editor: This Saturday, Feb. 9, from 1 to 1:30 p.m. at Crescent Harbor shelter there will be a rally to raise awareness of the FDA’s pending approval of genetically engineered salmon.
The idea is for the community to come together to briefly learn of the potential dangers of “frankenfish,” and how to easily submit your comment to the FDA.
The health risks of consuming salmon that have been genetically altered to produce an excess of growth hormones are not well studied. GE salmon will adversely affect our marine ecosystems (wild salmon populations included) since it is naïve to assume that no GMO fish will escape into the wild. They are bred to be voracious, and to grow at a unprecedented pace, thereby easily displacing competitive species. They also stand to harm our fishermen since the price of farmed, GE salmon will be much cheaper than our wild local-caught salmon; not to mention potentially reducing the political and economic will to maintain the ecological health of our wild stocks.
This decision is crucial, and will affect us in the long term. Please bring your family and friends to the defense of wild salmon, our marine ecosystems, and the health of our community for generations to come. Plus, I hear there is going to be some great signs!
Paul Rioux, Sitka
