Dumping nets full of thousands of crushed salmon straight into the vessel hold is the most unselective way to fish. Yet, this is exactly how Southeast Alaska conducts fisheries that intercept salmon and steelhead migrating to B.C., Washington, and Oregon.
The consequences have been devastating. Orcas that should have enough to eat are hungry. Chinook, steelhead, coho and chum populations that should be recovering remain threatened, and communities that should be fishing are not.
While Canada’s largest sustainable seafood label, Ocean Wise stopped recommending Southeast Alaska salmon fisheries, the Marine Stewardship Council still calls them ‘sustainable.’ And many stores continue selling salmon from Southeast Alaska with a ‘sustainable' label.
You can help — by reconsidering your purchase of any salmon from southeast Alaska and sending a letter to the Marine Stewardship Council and America's leading grocers.