Making Sure Alaskan Seafood Remains the Best

In a world full of bad news on the environmental front, hearing about a robust ecosystem and a sustainable, beneficial fishery is music to the ears. In Alaska, the system went into operation over fifty years ago and in many ways has been the envy of the fishery system all over the world.

How does the Alaska model work? The system employs firm seafood harvest quotas, first of all, which are determined using the latest information by a pool of scientists familiar with the needs of the local species in their habitat. At present, Alaska's Department of Fish and Game will coordinate with the National Marine Fisheries Service to look over the research. Alongside them is the International Pacific Halibut Commission to weigh in on the best figures for that excellent fish.

Meanwhile, out in the field itself, the climatic factors are considered, as well as the environmental impact in deciding the seafood harvest quotas for that particular season. Within the quota system, they have to figure the maximum amount of halibut and crab, while calculating the escapement of salmon within a particular run. The term "escapement" refers to the amount of salmon capable of spawning that elude the capture of the fisheries. When they work out the figures and try to agree what is best, the priority goes to the sea life itself.

Alaska's seafood industry is not just a source of pride; it is also a source of income and the preservation of a way of life coincides with the preservation of each individual species. It is no surprise that no Alaska seafood species has ever found itself on the endangered list or gone extinct. The preservation of Alaskan life itself is dependent on the seafood industry. Seafood harvest quotas serve as protection from humanity while doubling as protection for humanity itself.

Anyone who has experienced the untarnished, wild flavor of Alaskan seafood can appreciate the fruits of these labors. Alaskan crab species remain among the world's best, while the restaurants on the U.S. mainland continue to prize the arrivals of halibut caught off the Alaskan coast. Alaskan seafood remains a treasure in no danger of extinction.

Alaska's fishing industry leads the world in environmental protection measures. From efforts to improve traceability to strict enforcement procedures, Alaska continually shows how committed it is to preserving the ocean for the next generation.