Jeff Regnart, longtime employee of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and commercial fisheries director for the department has announced he is stepping down from his position for personal reasons.
Kevin Brooks, the department’s deputy commissioner, confirmed Regnart’s departure to SeafoodSource. Brooks declined to discuss Regnart’s reasons in detail other than to say Regnart is leaving due to family commitments out of state, not because of any internal problems with the department.
“He’s a highly regarded director here,” Brooks said. “He’s done a great job for us – nothing but good things to say.”
According to the department’s website, Regnart began working there in 1984 as a fish and wildlife seasonal. Prior to government service, he commercially fished for salmon and halibut and worked for one summer as a sport fishing guide.
Among his full-time responsibilities with the department over the years, Regnart managed the Naknek-Kvichak commercial fishing district within the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, and also had regional responsibility over Bristol Bay and Cook Inlet commercial fisheries.
Prior to becoming commercial fisheries director, Regnart served as regional supervisor for the central region, where he administered and supervised management and research activities there, including the Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound areas.
Regnart himself did not respond to requests for comment from SeafoodSource.
