Unveiling the Truth: The Complex Reality Behind Wild Alaskan Seafood

Alaskan wild-caught salmon, often hailed as the gold standard of sustainable seafood, faces increasing scrutiny. Emerging controversies and legal battles suggest a more complex narrative, raising essential questions about the true sustainability of these fishing practices. Here, we dive deep into the intricacies of Alaskan fishing, juxtaposing them with the pioneering solutions offered by Seatopia in sustainable aquaculture.

Alaska's Fishing Practices Under the Lens:
The idyllic image of Alaskan fishing is being challenged by recent lawsuits and environmental concerns. For instance, U.S. District Judge Richard Jones recently vacated permits for a key fishery in southeast Alaska, citing inadequate protection plans for salmon affecting the southern resident killer whale population. This landmark decision underscores the growing concern about the sustainability of Alaskan fishing practices.

If you purchase Alaskan salmon in grocery stores or pick it from the menu in fine restaurants this holiday season, chances are it will carry the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ‘Blue Fish’ label. The label is a promise to consumers: rest easy, the food you are about to eat comes from sustainable fisheries. In reality, Alaska’s fisheries may not all live up to this ideal. This year, the Alaskan fleet’s egregious harvesting practices left millions of Canadian salmon and steelhead unaccounted for, and killed 10 killer whales in their nets.

Considering the damage the Alaskan fleet has done this year, my wish for the holiday season is that the Marine Stewardship Council calls an emergency audit on the sustainability of the state’s fishing practices.

For any fishery to be ‘sustainable,’ it must be selective. The video below is taken from a video shot onboard an Alaskan purse seiner. Does it look selective to you?!

MSC certification is supposed to consider “the fishery's impact on other stocks.” Alaska’s contracted verifiers tell the MSC their fishing gear is “highly selective.” They say Alaska’s seiners “corral their nets beside the fishing vessel” and “use a small dip to brail the catch into the hold.”

The video shows a different reality. No ‘small dip nets’ sorting fish. Just thousands of salmon dumped straight into the hold in roughly 60 seconds. When people fish like this, there’s little chance any non-target bycatch like Canadian Chinook or steelhead are going to be thrown back alive.

Dozens of images and videos confirm in gory detail the destructive fishing practices that occur in the gauntlet that migrating B.C.-bound salmon must swim. How much longer can Rupert Howes, the CEO of the Marine Stewardship Council, ignore dead killer whales in the holds of trawlers? How can he certify a fishery that takes half the run of Skeena steelhead? The time has come to stop the charade. 

Alaskan interception fisheries are the single largest source of mortality for BC salmon. That’s Alaska’s dirty secret, and Watershed Watch and SkeenaWild are leading the fight to expose and end it.  While we at Seatopia do not agree with everything they say, its clear we agree that Wild Alaskan Salmon fisheries are not as selective and sustainable as they purport to be.

Quote from U.S. District Judge Richard Jones:
"The ruling effectively shuts down the summer and winter chinook troll fishery... where roughly 97% of the fish caught are bound for home rivers in B.C., Washington, and Oregon." - Judge Richard Jones

By-Catch: A Persistent Problem:
By-catch, the unintended capture of non-target species, remains a significant environmental concern in Alaskan fisheries. This practice not only harms marine biodiversity but also disrupts the ecological balance, affecting various species including endangered ones.

Wild-Caught vs. Farmed: A Misconception:
The long-standing belief in the superiority of wild-caught seafood is increasingly being questioned. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution are just a few factors that challenge this notion. It's becoming clear that wild-caught is not inherently synonymous with sustainable.

The Stigma of Commodity Farmed Seafood:
Farmed seafood often carries a stigma due to concerns about environmental impact and fish welfare. However, as Seatopia demonstrates, sustainable farming practices are changing this narrative, showcasing how aquaculture can be both eco-friendly and efficient.

Seatopia's Model of Sustainable Aquaculture:
Seatopia stands as a beacon in the sustainable aquaculture sector, demonstrating how responsible practices can align with high seafood production standards.

- Innovative Farming Practices: Employing methods that ensure ample space, healthy growth, and minimal environmental impact.
- Eco-Conscious Feed: Utilizing sustainable feed ingredients that mimic natural diets and reduce the ecological footprint.
- Commitment to Biodiversity: Seatopia's practices promote marine biodiversity, crucial for maintaining ecological balance.

The Legal Battle in Alaska:
The recent legal challenges in Alaska shed light on the complexities of salmon fishing and its broader impact. According to the Wild Fish Conservancy, these fishing practices have significantly contributed to the decline in salmon populations, a crucial food source for the endangered southern resident killer whale.

Excerpt from Wild Fish Conservancy's statement:

"The enormous ruling... hasn't seen any meaningful actions to address prey availability in decades." - Emma Helverson, Executive Director, Wild Fish Conservancy

More Action - Learn more: https://www.alaskasdirtysecret.com