BBRSDA Position on Testing & Quarantine

** COVID-19 FLEET ADVISORY #04: BBRSDA Position on Testing & Quarantine **
April 21, 2020

The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association’s (BBRSDA) Board of Directors formally adopted the following statement of support at meeting on April 20, 2020:

“The BBRSDA supports the idea of COVID-19 testing and quarantine of fishermen prior to their arrival in Bristol Bay for the 2020 salmon season, and affirms its continued support for acknowledged best practices for protecting the health of all stakeholders.”

The health and safety of fishermen, processing workers, support personnel, and local residents is a paramount concern for the BBRSDA. These goals and the best practices aimed at meeting them are fully consistent with BBRSDA’s mission of increasing the value of the fishery for fishermen. Bristol Bay sockeye salmon has become a premium product, and as such the demand for it is a function of not just fish quality but the real and perceived impact of the fishery. A tragedy—particularly one that is aggravated by poor compliance on the part of the fleet in regards to best practices—could significantly damage demand for the fishery’s products. Second, the Bristol Bay salmon fishery is subject to oversight, regulation, and taxation by state and local government. Again, failure to support reasonable and feasible best practices on the part of the fleet could create a situation of costly animosity between industry, government, and local residents.

With appropriate safeguards, we are confident there will be a 2020 season, and the BBRSDA encourages the use of best available practices for the protection of public and industry health. With this being a very fluid situation, stakeholder leadership is in a state of close communication regarding what options are both available and feasible.     

The Bristol Bay salmon fishery works best when its stakeholders work together to overcome challenges as best as possible. All stakeholders share in its rewards, and its risks during the current pandemic. Supporting the highest level of workable safety protocols is not just the correct thing to do from a moral/human perspective, it is also the most fiscally responsible option to meet the mission of the BBRSDA and our fleet.

Sincerely,

Fritz Johnson
BBRSDA Board President

*See past COVID-19 Fleet Advisories and other updates/info on our COVID-19 page. (link).