Andy Wink Departing from Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association

The BBRSDA thanks Andy for his years of service in building the organization and supporting the Bristol Bay fishing industry, and the BBRSDA wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.

Bristol Bay Sees Strong Wild Sockeye Harvest to Follow Up Record-Breaking Year

The cumulative wild sockeye salmon harvest through the end of July in Bristol Bay, Alaska, currently sits at 38 million fish, surpassing the forecast of 37 million fish. As anticipated, this season’s strong returns make 2023 one of the top five harvest seasons of the past 20 years – quite a follow-up to last year’s all-time record-breaking harvest. Bristol Bay is known as “America’s Wild Sockeye Source,” and is home to the largest wild salmon run on the planet, producing half the world’s supply of wild sockeye.

Summer of Sockeye Salmon Kicks Off in Bristol Bay, Alaska

The highly anticipated annual wild sockeye salmon season in Bristol Bay, Alaska has officially commenced and fishermen are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the most bountiful in history. The 2023 harvest runs through September, and is forecast to be among the top five strongest in the last 20 years, estimating a haul of around 37 million fish. This means plenty of delicious, wild sockeye salmon in restaurants and grocery stores nationwide, making this sure to be the summer of sockeye.

Strong Harvest Means Incredible Deals for Wild Sockeye Salmon Nationwide

As consumers continue to look for budget friendly deals on groceries and restaurant meals, there’s one protein source whose price is staying steady, thanks to a surplus from last year’s harvest season. The 2022 harvest from Bristol Bay, Alaska – the source of more than half the world’s sustainable, wild sockeye salmon – was 46% higher than its previous five-year average, bringing in a haul of more than 60 million fish. This means the average price per pound of wild sockeye salmon on sale at grocery stores is down 7% since early 2022, compared to an increase of 12% for farmed Atlantic salmon fillets.1 So, now is a great time for shoppers to find red-hot deals on the delicious, omega-3 rich sockeye salmon at retailers around the country.

Bristol Bay Sockeye Run Set to Shatter Records

From the pristine waters of Bristol Bay, the harvest of sockeye salmon, a legendary culinary experience, is set to break records. Consumers and chefs can’t wait for July when the opportunity to enjoy this memorable fish comes once again.