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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNEAU, AK (May 13, 2003) - Starting this June, Xanterra Parks & Resorts will be dishing up wild Alaska Salmon at a number of their national parks throughout the U.S., including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, as well as four Ohio State Park Resorts. The company's commitment to natural resource preservation drove their decision to serve wild Alaska Salmon and limit its use of farmed salmon. Chris Lane, director of environmental affairs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts, noted in the company's announcement that "the use of wild Alaskan salmon is better for the environment and clearly more in line with our company-wide commitment to preservation of the earth's natural resources." Xanterra is the first hospitality operation in the Americas to pursue "chain of custody" certification by the Marine Stewardship Council, a certification which will authorize Xanterra Parks & Resorts to use the MSC eco-label. Xanterra worked in partnership with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to facilitate the promotion of wild Alaska Salmon to park visitors by offering it on restaurant menus as well as through employee training. Feedback from Xanterra Chefs has been extremely positive. "We've been serving wild Alaska Salmon since last October. It's a very consistent fish that offers a wonderful flavor profile. Alaska Salmon's versatility allows us to get creative. One of our newest recipe creations is a Chili Dusted Coho Filet that our customers just love," said Executive Chef Brian von Eggers, CEC, of the Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort in Death Valley. "With an objective of serving sustainable cuisine, a partnership between Xanterra and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is a nice fit. They were able to help us develop an Alaska Salmon promotion that met the diverse needs of our properties while helping us to educate our guests about the issues that affect our natural resources and train our staff about the benefits of serving wild Alaska Salmon," said Tim Stein, Director of Food & Beverage for Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Alaska's Salmon Fishery was certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as sustainable in September of 2000, and today, is widely recognized as a model of conservation-based management. The certification is a declaration that the Alaska Salmon Management Program is a model for sustainable salmon fisheries worldwide. Wild Alaska Salmon has also been added to Xanterra's "recommended species" list, which is an element of the company's seafood policy. This policy - announced in 2001 - includes recommendations of sustainable seafood as well as an outright ban on certain kinds of seafood that have been determined to be harmful to the environment. The MSC was established by the World Wildlife Fund and Unilever in 1997, and has been independent since 1999. The organization recognizes well-managed fisheries and harnesses consumer preference for seafood products bearing the MSC label of approval. Seven fisheries have been certified under the MSC program to date: Western Australian rock lobster, Thames Blackwater herring, Alaskan salmon, New Zealand hoki, Burry Inlet cockles, South West mackerel handline fishery, and Loch Torridon nephrops. The MSC chain of custody certification provides traceability back to the certified fishery, guaranteeing that the seafood is from a certified source. There are over 20 more fisheries at some stage of the certification process. The MSC is based in London, governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by the Rt. Hon. John Gummer MP. Further information about the MSC can be found at www.mscorg Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates lodges, restaurants and other concessions at national parks, state parks and resorts. It is the nation's largest national park concessioner, with operations in Yellowstone National Park, the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Death Valley National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Everglades National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It operates concessions at the Silverado Resort in Napa, CA; Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and seven Ohio State Parks. Xanterra has an environmental program called "Ecologix," which includes a variety of environmental stewardship practices at each property. Its commitment to the preservation and protection of the earth's natural resources has earned recognition in the form of awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior. For more information about Xanterra visit www.xanterra.com. -30- |
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