Nation’s Largest Sustainable Fishery Opens Sunday in Alaska

The harvest season for Alaska pollock, the nation’s largest fishery, opens Sunday, January 20. The 2013 Alaska pollock Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska is 1,387,146 metric tons, 3.8% higher than last year’s TAC of 1,335,944 metric tons. Alaska pollock accounts for approximately 30% of all U.S. seafood landings by weight.

Across segments Alaska pollock is a mainstay in breaded fish sticks, fish sandwiches, Alaska Surimi Seafood products, and more. It provides a versatile, healthy choice that is low in fat but high in protein and vital long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Consumers continue to express a strong preference for Alaska seafood, with 70% reporting that seeing the word “Alaska” on a menu item positively affects their likelihood of ordering that seafood dish. Wild Alaska pollock presents a low-cost, widely available option for adding healthful seafood offerings to the menu and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has a wide variety of materials to support Alaska pollock promotions. For more information on partnership opportunities, please contact Foodservice Director Claudia Hogue at chogue@alaskaseafood.org.

The Alaska pollock fishery is a model of sustainability for the world. Using mid-water trawls designed to minimize the effects on the marine environment, the Alaska pollock fishery is vigilant against overfishing and works hard to avoid accidental by-catch of other species. Fishery management works closely with top marine biologists to ensure that all management decisions are based on sound and up-to-date science, a hallmark of Alaska’s sustainable fisheries management system.

About Alaska Seafood

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is a partnership of the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry. ASMI works to promote the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood and to offer seafood industry education.

For more than 50 years, Alaska has been dedicated to sustainable seafood. It’s so essential to our way of life that our Constitution mandates that “fish … be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle.” The seafood industry is Alaska’s largest private sector employer, and as a result, Alaskans understand the need to protect the fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations. We’re proud of our leadership in sustainable management, which has led to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets around the world.