Seattle, Washington. April 3, 2008 – Recent press coverage on California and Oregon’s reduced wild salmon runs may be leaving consumers to think that all wild-caught salmon in the U.S. are in short supply or at risk. However, in Alaska the salmon continue to be abundant and managed for sustainability. In fact, Alaska supplies 90-95% of the wild-caught salmon from North America.
 
Last year, the commercial harvest in Alaska exceeded 212 million fish—the fourth largest salmon harvest on record. The wild Alaska salmon fishery is managed for sustainability, a top priority since Alaska became a state almost 50 years ago. No salmon of Alaska origin has ever been listed as threatened or endangered on the Endangered Species Act.
 
Healthy runs of wild salmon on the West coast are the goal everyone is striving for, and Alaskans are certainly compassionate and concerned with these recent low projections from California and Oregon. However, the contribution of California and Oregon wild salmon fisheries, while highly prized, constitute a fraction of the North American harvest—the overwhelming majority is from Alaska.
 
There is plenty of eco-friendly wild salmon available this season, which officially opens in early May and extends into October. Alaska is home to all five species of salmon – King, Sockeye, Coho, Keta, and Pink.
 
Since 1959, Alaska’s constitution has mandated that “fish…be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle.” In Alaska, science rules over all other motivations, including economic and political, ensuring a sustainable harvest for future generations.
 
This dedication illustrates why Alaska’s fisheries management practices are considered a global model, and why Alaska continues to celebrate sustainable harvests year after year.
 
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) provides educational materials that help empower foodservice professionals and their staff to answer potential questions from consumers. Please visit www.alaskaseafood.org to order free training materials, including the latest science-based information on sustainability.
 
Alaska’s dedication to sustainability has resulted in keeping the world stocked with a continuous, ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood. Alaska's effective and precise fisheries management practices are considered a model for the world.
 
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is the State of Alaska’s official seafood marketing arm. It is a public agency of the State of Alaska, funded by the Alaska seafood industry with support from state and federal funds. ASMI promotes Alaska seafood throughout the U.S. and in 16 other countries. ASMI also provides education and training to the seafood industry in food safety and quality assurance practices. Please go to www.alaskaseafood.org for more information.
 

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Contact: Claudia Hogue                                                     
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute                       
800/806.2497