Hydaburg Mayor Tony Christianson goes seine fishing for salmon in Eek Inlet off Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. (Photo courtesy The Nature Conservancy)
Anthony “Tony” Christianson of Hydaburg has been named interim chair of the Federal Subsistence Board. The announcement was made by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on Tuesday. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack concurred with the appointment. Christianson says he is pleased to have been selected.
“Through a couple of years of learning, I really liked being involved. When that opportunity came up, I thought I would take a stab at it.”
Christianson was appointed to the Federal Subsistence Board in 2012 as one of the first public members representing rural Alaskans. He says serving on the board is rewarding.
“I’ve really enjoyed being able to help rural members find the food they need, basically. That’s been my interest all the time. To make sure rural people are considered the priority and can access the resource to meet the demands of their needs.”
Christianson says he is impressed with the other people who serve on the board.
“A really good, professional group of people that really looks out for the best interest of the subsistence and federal needs across the state. Not just the subsistence users, but all of the user groups across the state, to regulate the wildlife and fisheries.”
Christianson is the mayor of the City of Hydaburg and works as the natural resource director for the Hydaburg Cooperative Association, a federally recognized tribe. He is also a commercial fisherman.
The Federal Subsistence Board was created in the early 1990s and is the decision-making body that oversees management of fish and wildlife resources for subsistence uses on federal public lands and waters in Alaska.
Christianson will take the place of Chairman Tim Towarak, who retired. A permanent chair is expected to be appointed in the next several months. Christianson says he has put his name in for consideration.
