Alaska Independent Fishermen’s
Marketing Association
A member-funded association commited to the fishermen and the
salmon resource of the Bristol Bay region since 1966.
Environmental Efforts of the AIFMA
Pebble Mine
The world's most valuable wild salmon run is threatened by a plan to dig North America's largest open-pit gold and copper mine.
Offshore oil and gas development issues
The Bering Sea faces frequent seismic and volcanic activities, severe sea-ice conditions and, at times, hurricane-force winds. All the ingredients necessary for oil spill disasters accompanied by severe ecological damage that can last forever.
Offshore aquaculture
Allowing ocean “fish farms” increases the potential to spread diseases to wild species; increases pollution of the marine environment with fish wastes and excess feed, drugs and chemicals; and it harms marine mammals and other wildlife from predator controls . . .
Bristol Bay Stocks Face Interceptions in Russian Waters
Yakudzi Go Fishing in Russian Waters
Chairman of the Russian State Fishery Committee
Yuri Sinelnik announced Thursday that if Kuriles are returned to
Japan, Russia will lose $1 billion dollars annually.
Bristol Bay and Western Alaska Salmon Stocks Face Interceptions in Russian Waters
The first sign of troubles for the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run was in 1996. Fishers in Bristol Bay were pleased with a nearly 30 million sockeye harvest, but the Kvichak River inexplicably missed its 4 million escapement goal by 2.5 million fish.
Bristol Bay: World’s Largest Sockeye Salmon Run
Bristol Bay is home to the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. Over the last 20 years the sockeye salmon harvest has averaged an impressive 24 million fish an impressive per year with a value of $100 million to fishermen in 2006. Wild sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay is enjoyed by consumers worldwide. Its firm, red flesh and delicate flavor make it one of the finest fresh, frozen and canned salmon on the market today. Bristol Bay is located in the Southeast corner of the Bering Sea in Alaska. Bristol Bay sockeye salmon begin their lives in the pristine tributaries and lakes of the region. Here the fingerling salmon spend the first year of their five-year life cycle before migrating out to sea. The sockeye salmon spend four years in the cold and clean waters of the Bering Sea and North Pacific. The sockeye salmon thrive on a plankton diet, and attain one of the highest levels of health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids found in any seafood. Completing their life cycle, the sockeye salmon migrate back to the rivers of their origin. |
