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Saved for Now
They may mean a great deal to you or you may not fully understand them, either way we want to share with you this monumental victory for Bristol Bay! In a recent landmark decision made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) these phrases have finally been achieved. For now that is. Steve and Jenn Kurian have been fishing in the waters of Bristol Bay for as long as the Pebble mine has been proposed. This is the first year that they have been able to take a breath and have hope for the future of the Bay.
Since 2001, a company has been proposing a mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska which is home to an extensive deposit of gold, copper, and molybdenum. This mine would be devastating to the local sustainable fishing industry which generates around $2.2 billion annually and supports 15,000 jobs. Bristol Bay is one of the last functional wild-based salmon cultures in the world and produces over half of the world’s sockeye salmon. For over a decade, Bristol Bay Tribes, commercial fishermen, and conservationists have banded together to urge the EPA into action against this proposed mine. On January 30th, 2023 the EPA finally used their veto power to halt construction of the Pebble Mine. While this will protect Bristol Bay and its surrounding wetlands and fish-bearing streams for the foreseeable future, other companies have already put in applications to mine in the area.
On the Horizon
It is always a hectic time at our store in Bloomsburg, PA before Captain Steve goes off fishing for the summer but this year has been a bit more crazy. We are in the exciting stages of expanding our building to be able to accommodate the growth of our business. We are also excited to announce that we will be putting in a café at our storefront! So many new adventures are in the works here at Wild for Salmon.
Meet the Crew
Besides our very own Captain Steve being on the F/V Ava Jane, here is our crew for the 2023 fishing season!
Watch our short tour of the F/V Ava Jane, so you can get an idea of what Captain Steve and the crew are into for this season.
2023 Fishing Season
Captain Steve went out to Alaska in May to prep the boat and make sure everything was ready for the start of the fishing season. Every year the crew keeps track of the waterfowl and other wildlife that is spotted during their travels. Here were the first birds spotted on this year's prep trip: two Northern Pintails!
According to the latest forecast, the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run in 2023 is projected to be strong. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game estimates a total run of approximately 51 million fish, with a harvest of over 37 million. This is great news for the fishing industry in Bristol Bay, as well as for consumers who enjoy this delicious and sustainable seafood. However, it's important to note that these projections are based on a variety of factors and can change due to environmental conditions, so ongoing monitoring and management will be crucial. With 2021 and 2022 having record breaking runs it will be intriguing to keep an eye on what happens to sockeye prices for this season!
As of today, the fish have started jumping and the crew is about to be in the full swing of the sockeye season! If you’d like to stay notified of our happenings in Bristol Bay this summer please follow us on our social media or sign-up for our Newsletter.