Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association Receives NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant to Expand Food Service Market for Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon
Anchorage, Alaska — The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) has been awarded $499,400 from NOAA Fisheries’ Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) grant program to fund a new project called “Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon in Food Service.” The project will run from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028.
BBRSDA represents about 1,800 drift permit holders and more than 8,000 small boat fishermen in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The organization works to grow the value of the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon fishery through marketing, advocacy, and community partnerships.
This new project will build demand for wild Alaska sockeye salmon in the U.S. food service industry, including restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, and corporate dining, through marketing, industry partnerships, and long-term menu placements. This is BBRSDA’s first Saltonstall-Kennedy award, and a rare federally funded project specifically designed to support Bristol Bay sockeye salmon marketing and promotion, reflecting a significant federal investment in the fishery’s future.
“This grant comes at an especially important time for Bristol Bay’s fishermen, as the seafood industry continues to navigate a challenging and highly competitive market,” said Lilani Dunn, Executive Director of BBRSDA. “Foodservice represents significant untapped potential for Bristol Bay sockeye salmon, and this funding will help us introduce our fish to more chefs and diners while building stronger, more diversified demand. We are deeply grateful to NOAA Fisheries and the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program for investing in this work and in Bristol Bay’s future.”
About BBRSDA
Founded in 2005, the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association represents the Bristol Bay drift gillnet fleet and works to grow the value of the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery through marketing, quality improvement, and industry partnerships.
About the NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program
The Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) program is administered by NOAA Fisheries and funds projects that support the U.S. seafood industry, including marketing, research, and new technology. Established under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act of 1954, the program helps fishing communities across the country build stronger, more resilient markets for domestic seafood.
Media Contact: Lilani Dunn, Executive Director, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association info@bbrsda.com
