Juneau, Alaska – The harvest season for Alaska pollock, the nation's largest fishery, opens Sunday, January 20. The 2013 Alaska pollock Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska is 1,387,146 metric tons, 3.8% higher than last year's TAC of 1,335,944 metric tons. Alaska pollock accounts for approximately 30% of all U.S. seafood landings by weight.
From energetic school cafeterias to bustling fast-casual cafes, Alaska pollock is a mainstay in breaded fish sticks, fish sandwiches, Alaska Surimi Seafood products, and more. In fact, this mild, versatile whitefish is one of the most common and well-loved seafood varieties in the country, even though it isn't always specifically called out on menus. Delicious whether poached, baked, broiled, steamed, sautéed, or deep-fried, Alaska pollock is a versatile, healthy choice that is low in fat and high in protein and long-chain omega-3s. Visit http://www.wildalaskaflavor.com for recipes and detailed nutrition information.
The Alaska pollock fishery is a model of sustainability for the world. Using mid-water trawls designed to minimize the effects on the marine environment, the Alaska pollock fishery is vigilant against overfishing and works hard to avoid accidental by-catch of other species. These efforts are monitored by the federal pollock observer program, which assigns scientists to all harvesting vessels and processing locations.
The annual Alaska pollock TAC is set by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC), which uses decades of survey information and the best research available to determine sustainable catch levels. This reliance on science is a hallmark of Alaska's sustainable fisheries management system.
About Alaska Seafood
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is a partnership of the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry. ASMI works to promote the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood and to offer seafood industry education.
For more than 50 years, Alaska has been dedicated to sustainable seafood. It's so essential to our way of life that our Constitution mandates that “fish … be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle.” The seafood industry is Alaska's largest private sector employer, and as a result, Alaskans understand the need to protect the fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations. We're proud of our leadership in sustainable management, which has led to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets around the world.
Source: Alaska Seafood