JUNEAU, Alaska–On behalf of the nation’s largest source of wild domestic seafood and in celebration of National Seafood Month, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) today unveils their latest efforts to help consumers Make the Wild Choice. Studies show that 82 percent of consumers prefer seafood that is wild and sustainable1, but are still craving more clarity on how to ensure the seafood on their plate is the best choice. That’s why ASMI is bringing together an Alaska Seafood Ambassador network to educate consumers and is giving them a chance to experience the wild of Alaska for themselves through a nationwide social sweepstakes.
Alaska Seafood Ambassadors include the most influential seafood and food industry experts, chefs, retailers, dietitians and fishermen, including Chef Melissa King, Top Chef All-Stars winner and entrepreneur known for combining West Coast ingredients with modern techniques and Asian flavors, and Tracy Welch, lifelong Alaskan and commercial fisherman who works to promote and protect the common interest of Alaska’s commercial fishing industry. Alaska Seafood Ambassadors will provide education, shopping tips and recipe inspiration via social media and at www.AlaskaSeafood.org.
“Some people are intimidated by seafood, but I think it’s easier and faster to cook than almost any other protein. The key is starting with high quality seafood, which is why I love working with wild Alaska seafood,” says Chef Melissa King. “The wild and natural environment of Alaska produces flavorful seafood that does a lot of the work for you. Any Alaska species is delicious with something as simple as olive oil, lemon and fresh cracked pepper, or you can experiment with more adventurous flavors, like yuzu koshu – one of my favorites.”
ASMI is also offering consumers nationwide a chance to win a trip for two to Alaska to experience the premier source of wild seafood firsthand. To enter, follow @AlaskaSeafood on Facebook and Instagram and comment on the sweepstakes post sharing why you Make the Wild Choice for a chance to win. The coveted prize is provided in partnership with Travel Alaska with roundtrip airfare provided by Alaska Airlines. Additional sweepstakes partners include Baycrest Lodge, AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern, Captain Pattie’s Fish House, Homer Chamber of Commerce, Land’s End and The Green Can. Read the full sweepstakes terms and enter to win by Friday, November 18.
“As a lifelong Alaskan and commercial fisherman, I understand the importance of knowing where your seafood comes from. I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring that wild Alaska seafood is available for future generations, both here in Alaska and across the globe,” says Alaska fisherman and Executive Director of United Fishermen of Alaska Tracy Welch. “An easy way to know you are choosing the best wild, sustainable fish is simply to choose seafood from Alaska, since all seafood out of the state is guaranteed wild and sustainable.”
According to research from ASMI and Datassential, shoppers are more motivated to choose seafood when it’s wild, a product of the U.S. and when they are inspired by easy or healthy recipe ideas1, making seafood from Alaska the perfect choice.
When shopping for seafood, a clearly labeled source and sustainability certification, or asking your retailer, fishmonger or server, are the best ways to know whether seafood is wild and sustainable. These details are the type of education shoppers are hungry for, with 71% of consumers wanting to know more about seafood sustainability1.
Curious Alaska seafood customers can become certified themselves with Alaska Seafood U, a brand new interactive online resource to learn more about how seafood from Alaska is harvested, the types of products available, as well as what makes it so nutritious and sustainable.
Seafood from Alaska includes five species of wild salmon, cod, halibut, Alaska pollock, sablefish, rockfish, sole/flounder, crab and more that are available at restaurants and retailers nationwide. Alaska is the only state with sustainable fishing written into its constitution and the Alaska seafood industry goes to great lengths to understand and respect their greatest resource and ensure they are only harvesting what the environment can support. Plus, wild seafood from Alaska is a healthy choice as it contains high-quality protein, omega-3s, vitamin D and B12, iron, zinc and other important nutrients for immune support and overall wellness.
Visit AlaskaSeafood.org/Make-The-Wild-Choice to learn more about why and how to Make the Wild Choice and connect with @AlaskaSeafood on Facebook and Instagram for more on how to win a trip for two to Alaska.
About Alaska Seafood
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is a partnership between the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry promoting the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood and offering seafood industry education. The seafood industry is Alaska’s largest basic private sector employer with nearly 60 percent of all wild seafood and 90-95 percent of wild salmon harvested in the U.S. coming from Alaska. In addition to wild salmon, Alaska is known for its crab and whitefish varieties such as Pacific cod, sablefish, halibut, Alaska pollock, sole and rockfish – available fresh or frozen year-round. Alaska has been dedicated to sustainable seafood for more than 60 years and is the only state with a constitution that mandates all seafood be managed under the sustained yield principle. Alaska has taken a leadership role in setting the global standard for precautionary resource management to protect fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations and leading to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets worldwide.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize low fares and award-winning customer service. Alaska is a member of the one world global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, our guests can travel to more than 900 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.
About the Alaska Travel Industry Association
The Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaska’s leading statewide nonprofit membership association for the travel industry, promotes Alaska’s tourism industry as an economic contributor while providing statewide marketing resources, education opportunities and advocacy to members. ATIA has long managed Alaska’s destination marketing program: Travel Alaska. For more information, visit www.alaskatia.org.
1 Datassential for Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, 2021
