Alaska’s five wild salmon species and the fishermen who bring them to the table are in the spotlight for the second annual Alaska Wild Salmon Day, observed on 10 August.
As part of the celebration, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is hosting a video contest geared toward Alaska commercial fishermen, their family and friends. To participate in the Alaska Seafood Commercial Fishing Video Contest, contenders must submit a personal video addressing their passion for Alaska’s salmon between 9 August and 30 September. A winner will be chosen and announced in early October, to kick off National Seafood Month.
Salmon fans in the Anchorage, Juneau and Seattle areas have been invited to share relevant photos with a custom Snapchat Geofilter in honor of Alaska Wild Salmon Day, while consumers worldwide can get in on the action too by posting their favorite Alaska salmon recipes under the hashtag #AskForAlaska and #WorthIt on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.
All activities taking place on 10 August are meant to celebrate a renowned U.S. wild salmon sector that accounts for over 90 percent of all catch in the country, according to ASMI. The Alaska salmon industry employs over 26,000 Alaska residents, more than any other private sector industry, with the prized pink fish responsible for more jobs than any other seafood species.
“We honor our seafood and fishermen every day in Alaska. Alaska Wild Salmon Day is another reminder of how important salmon is to Alaska’s communities, history and heritage,” said Jeremy Woodrow, Communications Director for ASMI. “When you choose wild Alaska seafood, you are honoring the generations of fishermen who have spent countless days and nights on the water to provide the world with the best sustainable seafood that can only come from a place as wild and natural as Alaska.”
Alaska fishermen harvested the 7 billionth salmon since statehood in 2017 – “a testament to the careful management and sustainability of Alaska’s wild salmon,” ASMI said. A first wholesale value of USD 1.4 billion (EUR 1.1 billion) has been tallied for salmon annually, which accounts for one-third of the entire Alaska seafood industry, the organization added.
Consumers are encouraged to prepare fresh, canned or frozen meals featuring Alaska salmon on Alaska Wild Salmon Day, which was officially sanctioned by Alaska Governor Bill Walker on 8 May, 2016 when he signed HB 128 into law at the 2016 Juneau Maritime Festival. Relevant recipes for the occasion available courtesy of ASMI include:
- Alaska Salmon Poké
- BBQ Wild Alaska Salmon Flatbread
- Cedar Plank Grilled Alaska Salmon with Sweet Potatoes
- Mustard Maple Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
- North African-Style Alaska Salmon
