Our Environment
The fish stocks of the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, managed by the State of Alaska, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the International Pacific Halibut Commission are considered to be the best managed and healthiest in the world. North Pacific fisheries are among the best managed and best monitored in the world, and provide a sustainable source of high quality protein. Of the over 200 groundfish stocks under North Pacific Council jurisdiction, none have been identified as overfished.
Since 1990, the federally managed North Pacific groundfish fisheries have had the most comprehensive industry-funded observer program in the world. This program involves an intense system of accounting and monitoring of all catch and bycatch of each managed species.
The strict management of Alaska's fisheries is serious business. Alaska's State constitution mandates that all fish shall be utilized, developed, and maintained on the sustained yield principle. This principle and resulting process has been held up as a model for other fisheries agencies around the world. Alaska's salmon fisheries management and the federally managed pollock fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea have been certified as well managed and sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Alaska is the only salmon fishery in the world to be certified as meeting the rigorous MSC standards. Other fisheries, such as pacific cod, are currently being certified as sustainable.
PSPA members are committed to conservation, enhancement, and utilization of our renewable fishery resources and have contributed millions of dollars toward research in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1946, our industry has funded salmon research through the Fisheries Research Institute and, in 1992, began contributing to marine mammal research through the North Pacific Marine Science Foundation. We continue with our support of these and other research efforts today, all of which are focused on producing peer reviewed results.
Copyright © 2002-2003, Pacific Seafood Processors Association