Bristol Bay Reaches 2 Billion Harvested Salmon

Remember when McDonald’s first began putting up those marquee signs at its restaurants (millions and millions – now billions – served)?

Of course, we’re not advocating for anyone in Bristol Bay to put up any signs, but this is a pretty cool story: the famous salmon fishery reached quite the milestone: two billion salmon harvested, which appeared to be reached earlier this week.

Here’s Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s message:

This July, a commercial fisherman will land the 2 billionth salmon caught in Bristol Bay’s 133-year fishing history. Since the inception of Bristol Bay’s canned salmon industry in 1884, its fishermen have landed 1.99 billion salmon, 93% of which were sockeye. Fishermen will achieve the 2-billion-salmon milestone when 2016 total harvest reaches 10,033,455 million salmon. This is an opportunity to reflect on Bristol Bay’s salmon resources, their value to fisherman and the state, and the reasons for their health. The success of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery can be attributed to the region’s tremendously productive natural habitat, the science-based management of the resource, and the shared commitment to stewardship by the state, fishermen, and seafood processors. The 1 billionth salmon was caught on the afternoon of June 28, 1978 in the Nushagak River district. Two billion is just around the corner and every fisherman should claim credit for catching the two billionth salmon.

KTOO had more last summer:

Catching the 2 billionth salmon is an opportunity to reflect on Bristol Bay’s salmon resources, their value to fishermen and the state, and the reasons for their health.

Two billion salmon is about 12 billion pounds of high-quality protein that is in demand around the world. Fishermen earned $5 billion from that catch, and its wholesale value is two or three times that. It is the product of a fishery that is healthy and sustainable.

The success of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery can be attributed to the region’s tremendously productive natural habitat, the science-based management of the resource, and the shared commitment to stewardship by the state, fishermen, and seafood processors.

Salmon elsewhere around the world have not fared as well. On the Atlantic Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, salmon stocks have suffered from overfishing, dams, loss of habitat and pollution.

Bristol Bay wasn’t immune from such threats. Stocks were overfished in the early years and hammered by foreign high-seas fleets. In the 1950s, Bristol Bay catches sank.

Then came Alaska statehood, bringing a constitutionally mandated commitment to sustainability. Fish and Game took that charge seriously, applying new science and management tools.

Congratulations on the 2 billion plateau!