ALASKA'S SALMON FISHERY IS CERTIFIED AS SUSTAINABLE FACT SHEET

On September 5, 2000, the first United States fishery and the world's largest - the Alaska Salmon Fishery - was certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as well managed and sustainable. The recognition was given due to the good stewardship of Alaska, its processors and fisherman in managing its resources for sustainable yield.

Benefits to Foodservice Operators, Retailers & Consumers

As one of nature's original health foods, Alaska salmon is wholesome while being compatible with caring for the environment. Alaska Salmon freely swim in the cold, clean waters of the North Pacific, allowing them to spawn, grow and mature at a natural rate. As a result, the salmon have a natural flavor, color and texture.

Dependent upon the needs of foodservice operators and retailers, the salmon is available fresh, frozen, canned or smoked.

Recognizing MSC Certified Alaska Salmon

For the next five years, salmon processors and retailers now have permission to feature the MSC's Eco-label on all Alaska salmon that goes to market. This will alert the foodservice industry as well as retailers and consumers that they are supporting Alaska's ecosystem while ensuring the quality of the product.

Sustainable Criteria

The certification recognizes the high quality and fundamental conservation strengths of Alaska's salmon management program. To achieve this certification, the Alaska Salmon Fishery had to meet three conditions:

1. The number of salmon harvested must be relative to the number that can be replenished naturally. These species must be caught ethically as well.
2. Second, the fishery should be managed to ensure the health and diversity of the marine ecosystem.
3. Lastly, the fishery must adhere to all laws and regulations for responsible and sustainable fishing.

Alaska's salmon management program is implemented through Alaska statutes, regulations, and policies. It assures that each stock and fishery throughout the State is monitored regularly and any management or conservation deficiencies are identified and addressed through management, research, or regulatory action.

Steps to Ensure Alaska Salmon are Sustainable

Alaska is committed to escapement goal management in which harvests are restricted to ensure spawning escapement needs are met. Allowing safe passage to the spawning grounds is the highest salmon management priority. Other steps include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Local biologists monitor returning salmon using the following methods: aerial surveys, weirs, streamside counting towers, fish wheels, sonar, test fisheries and feedback from fishermen.
2. Based on the salmon count, salmon managers open and close fisheries on a daily basis to ensure spawning escapements are adequate to sustain production.
3. During the salmon season, biologists assess the returns at key streams and rivers to make sure that spawning salmon are allowed to "escape" to their home streams in sufficient numbers to produce future generations.
4. Alaska's habitat conservation laws and regulations provide clean, free-flowing waterways that are vital to abundant, sustainable salmon production. Strict laws prohibit activities such as road building, logging and mining near streams in order to protect vital spaning and rearing salmon streams.
5. There is constant monitoring and regulation regarding the discharge of pollutants to ensure high water quality in marine and fresh waters.
6. Alaska also opted for no-dam in order to protect the wild salmon from the drainage areas, which will help to sustain salmon resources for future generations.

The Value of Sustainability

Alaska's fishing industry is the second largest revenue-producing industry in Alaska. The State is the top producer of wild, high-value salmon and approximately 95 percent of all commercially caught salmon in the U.S. are harvested in Alaska.

Salmon also play a critical role in creating sustainable economic opportunities. Thousands of jobs are made available due to the salmon industry. Commercial fishing is critical to communities and fishing families throughout Alaska.

Other Certified Fisheries

To date, only the Thames blackwater herring and Western Australian rock lobster fisheries have been MSC-certified.

ASMI

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is the State of Alaska's official seafood marketing arm. It is a public corporation of the State of Alaska, funded by the Alaska seafood industry and federal grants. ASMI promotes Alaska Seafood throughout the U.S. and in 17 other countries. ASMI also provides education and training to the seafood industry in food safety and quality assurance practices.

For more information, please call:
Claudia Hogue at 1-800-806-2497

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