Ocean Wise has decided to remove its 'sustainable' recommendation for salmon caught in Southeast Alaska fisheries due to concerns over the impact on endangered orcas and at-risk salmon populations. This decision follows objections raised by Canadian conservation organizations and a forthcoming hearing in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the operation of Southeast Alaska's Chinook troll fishery. The closure of this fishery could have significant benefits for the recovery of Southern Resident orcas.
Up to 97% of the Chinook harvested in Southeast Alaska originate from rivers in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, where many populations are in decline and federally protected. Despite these concerns, U.S. seafood certifiers continue to label this as 'sustainable wild-caught Alaskan Chinook.'
Wild Fish Conservancy commends Ocean Wise for taking bold action based on science and transparency. Research has shown that curtailing ocean fisheries in British Columbia and Southeast Alaska is crucial for the recovery of the Southern Resident orcas. Reduced prey availability, particularly large and abundant wild Chinook, is cited as the primary cause of their decline.
The closure of the largest Chinook fishery in the world could significantly benefit the recovery of the critically endangered Southern Resident orcas, who have seen a drastic decline in population. Wild Fish Conservancy is calling for seafood certifiers to align their standards with scientific knowledge to ensure genuine sustainability for the future.
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Contact:
Emma Helverson, Executive Director, Wild Fish Conservancy, 484-788-1174, emma@wildfishconservancy.org