Have you ever heard of wild Alaskan Pollock? I bet you haven’t. In fact, I never really thought much about it either during my 18-year career in fisheries and marine conservation.
But listening to a Food Tank interview with Mark Zimring about the challenges and opportunities of international fishing, I realized just how blessed I am to live in Alaska.
Unlike vast areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans where international treaties are lacking, enforcement is weak, science is constantly catching up, and “dark fleets” commit illegal fishing and human rights abuses, the Bering Sea is a global model where fish, fishermen and local communities can all thrive.
In Alaska, the pollock fishery is 100% federally managed and monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Maritime Administration. We are fortunate to utilize rigorous, climate-adapted science. On-board observers log every fish caught, and a series of measures ensure non-target species are avoided. Our fish stocks are healthy and stable, third-party environmentally certified, and fully traceable from ocean to plate.
Doesn’t that sound incredible? Who would click on such a trivial story?
Ok, so let’s address the proverbial “elephant in the room” – size. Yes, our boats are big, some approaching 350 feet in length. We have full processing plants on board and sleep and feed up to 130 people per boat. We fish for two weeks at a time and store 1,500 tons of frozen and dried foods on board. We also have high-speed internet and streaming.
This may lead you to believe that sustainability and we are at odds.
In fact, quite the opposite is true. This allows us to catch the greatest number of fish in the most efficient way possible. Fewer trips to port mean less fuel burn per tonne of finished product. And because everything is processed on board immediately after catch, no extra processing or transport is required, maximizing product quality.
Our carbon footprint is the lowest on the planet of any common animal protein, and lower than many plant proteins, because we use no farmed land, no freshwater (which we produce ourselves on board), no pesticides, fertilizers or feed to catch our wild fish. Importantly, we use every part of the fish we catch, so nothing goes to waste.
To put our carbon credits into perspective, each pollock we catch today emits an average of 1.4 kg CO2-e per kg of finished product. Compare that to tofu (2.7), chicken (5.9), pork (7.0) and beef (59.4). Something to think about the next time you think of a chicken nugget or cheeseburger.
What about environmental justice and social responsibility? We’ve got that covered, too! Our industry has partnered with Alaska Native organizations (called Community Development Allocation Groups) to deliver the economic benefits from the Bering Sea pollock fishery directly to remote western Alaska communities.
When it comes to workforce, perhaps the most pressing issue in the global fishing industry right now, we know that our vessels cannot operate without a quality crew. That’s why we spend a lot of time, money and effort to recruit, train, treat and retain the best talent possible. That means pay and benefits that are transparent and generous, an unwavering commitment to safety training and career advancement opportunities, and the best possible medical care before, during and after the fishing season. Something you just won’t find in China or Russia.
Our company alone employs over 1,000 maritime crew members from nearly 40 countries, many of whom come from conflict zones around the world. Our industry is proud to be certified to the Fair, Integrity, Safety and Health (FISH) standard for crew, while supporting local jobs in Seattle and Alaska.
I would like to end with some suggestions that (hopefully) distill all of the above into simple, meaningful actions to support responsible fishing.
Buy certified sustainable. Many fisheries around the world are doing great work, and the best way to help them continue doing so is to reward these companies with your smart choices and purchases.
Ask if it’s American-made. The United States has the strictest fishing and aquaculture laws and regulations on earth, yet about 90% of the seafood we eat is imported. “Wild Alaskan Pollock” is not an arbitrary name tag, but a critical identifier that demonstrates compliance with the most rigorous standards.
Sustainable Seafood is Cool. Food Tank readers know that food production is the single largest contributor to climate change, with livestock production responsible for roughly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing land-based animal protein with fish can significantly reduce your personal carbon footprint with every meal.
Articles like the one you just read are made possible by the generous support of Food Tank members. Join our growing work by clicking here to become a member today.
Photo credit: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Wikimedia Commons
