BBRSDA Donates $1M to Pedro Bay Rivers Project

Dillingham, AK - The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) has committed to a donation of $1 million, on behalf of the Bristol Bay driftnet fleet, to preserve critical salmon spawning habitat and invest in the fleet’s future. The donation will be made to the Pedro Bay Rivers Project to finalize a conservation easement on 44,170 acres of land owned by the Pedro Bay Native Corporation. This conservation easement will prevent industrial developments, such as transportation corridors for large-scale mining operations, but allow the land to still be used for recreation, cultural, and subsistence activities. The vast majority of BBRSDA members are strongly opposed to development of the Pebble Mine, and this donation is a continuation of commercial fishermen acting to protect critical salmon habitat.

Achieving a final 404c determination by the EPA is critically important to protecting Bristol Bay salmon and we encourage all BBRSDA members to submit a public comment on the 404c process before they go fishing. However, the Pedro Bay conservation easement provides a critical measure of habitat protection, in case a future mine developer or administration is successful in getting around or changing a 404c determination.

BBRSDA and Bristol Bay driftnet fishermen are making a significant donation to protect Bristol Bay. We sincerely hope that setnet fishermen, Bristol Bay salmon processors, and other businesses that rely on Bristol Bay salmon will join in financially supporting the Pedro Bay Rivers Project, which must raise $20 million by year’s end to execute the conservation easement agreement. Donations can be made here.