Woven into the landscape and culture of Bristol Bay is the principle of true sustainability. Two hundred generations have made their home in Bristol Bay, and embraced this splendid wild salmon resource as an essential element of daily life.
The Nushagak and Kvichak River drainages comprise a pristine environment that is the most ideal wild salmon habitat on earth. Inhabiting this watershed, the Yupik and Dena’ina people are two of the last intact salmon-based cultures in the world. Salmon are central to the entire way of life here, both as food and as the foundation of language, spirituality and social structure. In the Bristol Bay region, salmon constitute more than 50% of all subsistence harvest, which provides 80% of the protein source for those living in the region.
Our devotion to wild salmon and the pristine environment that supports them has only continued to strengthen alongside our business. Conservation is driven by more than passion and the environment, like it or not, it is also driven by economics. Fishing in Bristol Bay demonstrates the area’s worth, and that it is worth more than the result of any mine – particularly an open-pit copper mine.
“PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED THE AMAZING RENEWABLE RESOURCE OF WILD SALMON AND CLEAN WATER. WITH THE RISE OF THE PEBBLE MINE PROJECT, THE NEED TO PROTECT WILD SALMON HABITAT IS AT ITS MOST CRITICAL POINT IN MODERN TIMES.” -STEVE KURIAN
We are grateful for what the salmon and Bristol Bay have given us, and we are Wildly Devoted to this cause.
“IT MEANS MORE TO US THAN JUST OUR LIVELIHOOD, SO GIVING BACK THROUGH RAISING BOTH MONEY AND AWARENESS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.” -JENN KURIAN
Through our Wildly Devoted program, Pride of Bristol Bay has committed to giving back. We have committed to a donation of 1% of total sales to organizations like Trout Unlimited who are dedicated to preserving the Bay and advocating against projects like Pebble Mine.
“After 15 years of catching and selling salmon to wonderful customers, I know these people would want nothing more than to play a critical part in protecting the fish that nourish our body and souls. I hope this idea catches on and encourages fishermen, processors, and consumers to take action and donate to the protection of wild salmon habitat.” -Steve Kurian
From all of us at Pride of Bristol Bay, we thank you for your support, and for being Wildly Devoted alongside us.
Tags: Articles Bristol Bay Bristol Bay Fishermen Save Bristol Bay The Place Bristol Bay
