Longtime fish advocates honored

Members of the 28^th Alaska Legislature commended four longtime advocates for Mat-Su salmon, Andy Couch, Howard Delo, Larry Engel, and Bruce Knowles. Tonight, Rep. Bill Stoltze and members of the Valley Delegation honored the fish experts with the April proclamation during a Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting.

The men are longtime advocates for the sustainability of salmon in the Mat-Su region and also members of the Mat-Su Borough Fish & Wildlife Commission. The expertise of that volunteer, seven-member Commission recently convinced the Alaska Board of Fisheries to vote unanimously to change commercial fishing regulations to allow more northern bound salmon to pass through Cook Inlet this summer.

"The group is working to identify the cause and solutions to the diminishing salmon returns in the Mat-Su area," the proclamation reads.

“Together, they applied countless years of accumulated wisdom and knowledge relating to the Matanuska and Susitna area fishery …” the proclamation states.

Rep. Bill Stoltze and Rep. Wes Keller are the prime sponsors of the proclamation. Rep. Mark Neuman thanked the four men for their dedication, and Rep. Shelley Hughes lauded the men for their ability to fill a conference room in Juneau for their presentations.

Larry Engel worked as a fishery biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game from 1964 to 1992. He also served as the Chair of the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

Howard Delo retired from ADF&G after a “notable 21-year career as a biologist and fish culturist.” Delo also served on the Board of Fisheries.

Bruce Knowles has been chairman for six years of the Borough Fish &Wildlife Commission. He’s worked as a fishing guide for years on area streams and served on numerous fish councils and boards.

Andy Couch is a longtime Matanuska area sport fishing guide and member of the Matanuska Valley Fish & Game Advisory Committee.

“Their combined efforts have been instrumental in securing legislative funds in the FY 2014 for genetic and escapement research and fishery protection efforts in Northern Cook Inlet,” the proclamation reads.

Photos: top Rep. Bill Stoltze and Larry Engel share a laugh before the meeting. Right: Bruce Knowles, Larry Engel, Howard Delo, Rep. Bill Stoltze, Rep. Wes Keller, Rep. Shelley Hughes, and Rep. Mark Neuman.

For more information call Mat-Su Borough Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 861-8577 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.