New website for Bristol Bay sockeye

The Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BB-RSDA) last week launched a website connecting consumers with the region responsible for the world’s largest sockeye salmon run.

The site, BristolBaySockeye.org, focuses on Bristol Bay, the personalities of the fishing fleet, and the region’s abundant and sustainable salmon runs. The site is organized emphasizes sustainability, nutrition, cooking and the people of Bristol Bay.

The site’s “Faces of the Fleet” section tells the history of the sockeye fishery through photography, a series of fishermen profiles and a video of the 2010 season shot by Bristol Bay commercial fishermen.

BB-RSDA’s mission is to raise the value of sockeye harvested in Bristol Ba; it intends to accomplish this goal through improved quality handling of the fish, but also by increasing consumer awareness of Bristol Bay and building demand for the product.

“Bristol Bay is truly a national treasure. Alaskans know this, but most consumers don’t,” said Bob Waldrop, BB-RSDA’s executive director. “Consumers want to know where their seafood comes from, and the new site aims to get salmon-hungry consumers as close as possible to the fish and the fishermen of Bristol Bay. The site is one part of a long-term outreach effort.”