Early indicators are pointing to yet another strong year in the massive Bristol Bay sockeye fishery, which is contrasted against the continued struggles in many of the state’s other large salmon fisheries (image credit: Alaska Journal of Commerce).

This season, the Port Moller Test Fishery has a new genetic testing lab on board the R/V Ocean Cat. Researchers say the lab is the first of its kind.

The first episode of Waypoints Radio, which aired June 24, featured special guest Robert Reierson from Tradex Foods, who joined BBRSDA's Michael Jackson and Andy Wink to discuss current market conditions, and also provided information about how fishermen can help BBRSDA meet its mission of creating a more valuable fishery.

Oregon’s NOAA CARES round two process will include measures for fishing businesses home-based in Oregon but operating in out-of-state fisheries.

The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA), the United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), and the Seafood Harvesters of America (SHA) applaud the hard work of Senators Hassan (D-NH), Murkowski (R-AK), Sullivan (R-AK), and others to elevate mask mandate concerns for commercial fishing vessels to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Businesses join tribes and fishermen in the call for long-term protection of Bristol Bay

Bristol Bay salmon have never, in recorded history, been more abundant. Sadly, harvests of sockeye, coho, and Chinook in other areas are lower than at any point since at least the early 1980s. NOW is the time to enact long-term protections for Bristol Bay salmon! Read on to learn more.

Take the time for vessel safety with dockside exams from the coast guard (June 14-25) and drill conductor classes from AMSEA in Naknek (June 10, 11) & Dillingham (June 12,13).

I will be gathering surveys from fishermen before and after the season, and will have some swag for those who complete the survey. However, it would be great if fishermen could fill out the survey online using the links below, depending upon what best describes your role in the Bristol Bay drift gillnet fishery:

BBRSDA’s annual processor survey, prepared by Northern Economics, gathers prior season information from Bristol Bay processors. This survey captures raw product data, finished product forms, chilled product volumes and quality impact, ice production capacity, and respondents’ opinions of trends and priorities within the fishery. Read all about the state of Bristol Bay salmon quality in the report HERE.

The member meeting on 5/22 was recorded. Check it out for sockeye market outlook, BBRSDA program updates, and COVID procedures and policies.

The Ocean Strategies Fisheries Policy Report provides timely policy and industry updates that connect America's sustainable seafood supply chain. The Spring Report features an interview with BBRSDA’s Andy Wink.

"Bristol Bay fishermen applaud the USDA's historic seafood purchase. This will provide struggling Americans with excellent food and support our country's seafood industry, which has faced huge challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Andy Wink, Executive Director for the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association.

BBRSDA will hold our Annual Member Meeting on May 22, 2021 at 10:30am AKT via zoom/teleconference. BBRSDA will also hold our final pre-season Board meeting on May 22, 2021 at 9:30am AKT (prior to the Annual Member Meeting). Click “Read More” for details…

Three days of hands-on and lecture-based training for new deckhands with little or no previous experience covering deck skills, safety, net repair, knot tying and more. Reserve a space for your green crew!

Elizabeth has been a steadfast advocate working with the seafood supply chain to stop the Pebble Mine since 2006.

George Wilson Jr. wins Seat B and Michael Jackson wins Seat E.

Net Your Problem works to recycle fishing gear in Alaska. You can help by voting for Net Your Problem in a competitive grant from the Center for Behaviour and the Environment. Net Your Problem is one of 10 finalists for a $25,000 grant and you can vote HERE to show your support for this project.

In April, BBRSDA committed financial support to test the feasibility of doing the in-season genetic analysis for stock composition estimates from the Port Moller Test Fishery (PMTF) onboard one of the test boats.