Salmon Expert Panel

Expert Panel Lead: Harmony Wayner (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

The goal of the Salmon Expert Panel is to convene a diverse group of individuals with expertise in salmon to develop observing and data management plans that support decision-making and research. 

• We aim to bring together experts on salmon from Southwestern Alaska and are open to broader collaboration. 

• Societal and community benefits are at the heart of this effort. 

• Our goal is to provide recommendations to funders to boost salmon observing efforts and data sharing in this region and internationally around gaps and needs identified by the expert panelists. This is in line with the goals of the ROADS process develop plans and recommendations to sustain long-term observing and data sharing systems. 

Left: View of skiffs and drift vessels in Naknek, Alaska. Right: Sockeye salmon drying in the smokehouse. Photo credit: Harmony Wayner.

As of May 2024, the panel is in Phase I of the SAON ROADS process and has the following immediate goals:

•  Convene to understand the scope and purpose of the theme; what data and  information exist, potential gaps being addressed through the work, and the societal benefits related to salmon information. 

•  Identify additional experts to co-create a panel of about 10-12 people, including those  that span critical cultural boundaries (e.g., between academia and Indigenous communities) and those that span different disciplines and sectors. 

•  Develop documentation (Phase I Proposal) to explain the chosen theme around salmon in Western Alaska, how the benefit assessment will proceed, the anticipated impacts on observing and data systems and the proposed composition of the EP.

•  Develop a communication and engagement plan to support collaboration and transparent decision-making among the panel participants. 

Read more about the goals of the expert panel and the relationship between salmon and well-being in this blog post.