Juneau, Alaska. March 13, 2008 – The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) welcomes the opening of the Alaska halibut and black cod fisheries this month.  With superior flavor, texture, and taste it is no wonder consumers go wild for fresh Alaska halibut and black cod every year. Indeed, Alaska’s bounty continues to drive consumers to retail where they increasingly know to ‘Ask for Alaska.’
 
Alaska black cod (also known as sablefish) continues to excite consumers everywhere who can’t get enough of the velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep flavor.  This premium whitefish swims in Alaska’s deep, icy waters. With the high oil content that gives black cod its delicious flavor and texture, it is also one of the best sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (1.8 grams per 3.5-ounce serving). Alaska boasts the largest black cod population in the world due to effective fisheries management.
 
Renowned for its mild, sweet flavor and firm texture, Alaska halibut is versatile and lends itself to a wide variety of cooking methods and spice blends.  Developing naturally in the pure waters of the North Pacific, this hearty whitefish offers a pure, light seafood taste and makes Alaska halibut a favorite at retail establishments from coast to coast.
 
What’s more, Alaska halibut and black cod, and indeed all Alaska seafood, remain wild and abundant due to a long history of effective fisheries management.  Alaska is recognized as a model of sustainability throughout the world making it one of the few truly wild, natural and sustainable seafood choices today.  
 
ASMI reminds retailers to check out the newest retail training tool: Alaska Seafood U. Designed to augment current retail training practices, Alaska Seafood U provides essential information on Alaska seafood that retail staff can use to educate consumers to help them make better-informed seafood purchases.
 
Indeed, from receiving to promoting Alaska seafood, ASMI has a complete stock of instructional as well as eye-catching point of sale materials available to assist retailers as the season heats up. To address the growing consumer demand for sustainable seafood retailers can merchandise Alaska fisheries sustainability with materials from ASMI. To learn more about Alaska seafood, sustainability or to order POS materials visit ASMI online at www.alaskaseafood.org or call (800) 806-2497.
 
Alaska is the pioneer of sustainability. 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. 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 and 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