Juneau, Alaska. April 23, 2008 – Retailers nationwide are gearing up for Alaska’s summer salmon season and so are the fishermen and women of Alaska. Millions of wild Alaska salmon will be harvested this summer, from mid-May through October, with each of the five Pacific salmon species in abundance. Additionally, troll-caught wild Alaska king salmon are harvested all year, and may be found fresh in high quality markets nationwide.
 
Alaska’s harvest represents 90-95% of the wild-caught salmon harvested in North America. Recent news coverage of depleted salmon runs in California may have left retailers and consumers thinking that all wild-caught salmon in North America are at risk. However, Alaska’s successful fisheries management practices allow wild and sustainable Alaska salmon runs to return healthy and abundant, year after year. In 2007, the commercial harvest in Alaska exceeded 212 million fish—the fourth largest salmon harvest on record.
 
“Wild Alaska salmon is highly prized by consumers who prefer wild, natural and sustainable seafood due to its superior quality, taste and texture” said Larry Andrews, Retail Marketing Director for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI). “With Alaska’s summer salmon season nearly upon us, it is important that retailers have the tools to educate their customers about sustainable Alaska seafood products.”
 
In an effort to keep retailers current on Alaska’s sustainable fishery management practices, ASMI offers its new online training tool: Alaska Seafood U. This interactive web-based training program provides facts and tips on each of the Alaska seafood species, fisheries management, harvesting methods, health and nutrition plus cooking and preparation information. Alaska Seafood U is free to all retailers and can be accessed by visiting www.AlaskaSeafoodU.org, or go to www.alaskaseafood.org and follow the link to Alaska Seafood U.
 
ASMI also offers a new family of sustainability materials that detail Alaska’s fisheries management practices. Consumer concern for the ocean ecosystem is growing, and with it preference for sustainable seafood. These new materials, including the Sustainability Brochure, the Standards Comparison Fact Sheet, and the Alaska Seafood Pocket Guide will allow retailers to provide accurate, detailed information to help consumers make better-informed seafood purchases.  Retailers can order these materials online at www.alaskaseafood.org or call (800) 806-2497.
 
Since acceptance into the Union in 1959, Alaska’s Constitution has mandated that “fish…be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle.” This long-term dedication to sustainability has resulted in keeping the world stocked with a continuous, ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood. Indeed, 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: Larry Andrews                                                              
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute    
800/806.2497