What happens when two Alaska salmon regions team up? A year filled with delicious storytelling, sustainable fishing education, and an unmatched love for Wild Alaska Salmon.

Throughout the better part of 2024, the Copper River Prince William Sound Regional Seafood Development Association (Copper River RSDA) and the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (Bristol Bay RSDA) worked together to showcase two distinct regions that identify themselves with Wild Alaska Salmon. The initiative was to spotlight the unique qualities of both of our fisheries, including topics such as sustainable fishing practices, health benefits of wild salmon, and the daily life of commercial fishermen on deck.

How It Began

We first met Aubrey McNeil, the Marketing and Creative Manager for BBRSDA in March at the 2024 Boston Seafood Expo. Her enthusiasm for Wild Alaska Salmon was magnetic. Amid the high energy of the expo, we struck up a conversation that evolved into brainstorming on how we could combine our expertise to amplify awareness of the benefits of Wild Alaska Salmon. By the end of that meeting, we had sketched out a collaborative project that would span the better half of the year, focusing on multiple educational themes. Together, we developed a series of initiatives aimed at educating the general public. This partnership not only strengthened our mutual knowledge, but helped us reach new audiences eager to learn about the importance of choosing Wild Alaska Salmon. It’s worth noting that this collaboration may not have come to fruition without the in-person connections we’ve built over the years at events such as these. The opportunities to meet colleagues face-to-facet provide the value of fostering relationships that drive impactful partnerships.

Why This Partnership Matters 

Alaska’s wild salmon isn’t just food—it’s a story of tradition, sustainability, and flavor. The goal of this collaboration was to connect consumers with the journey of wild salmon from “boat to plate,” making it easier than ever to make informed buying choices. In a time when transparency and quality matter more than ever, this partnership empowers home cooks, retailers, and food enthusiasts alike.

Liani Dunn, Executive Director of the Bristol Bay RSDA, summed it up perfectly:
"With both regions’ fishing seasons, U.S. consumers, retailers, and restaurants have a wonderful opportunity to savor fresh Wild Alaska Salmon from early May through the summer months."

Christa Hoover, Executive Director of the Copper River RSDA, echoed this enthusiasm, saying:
"We are thrilled to join forces with another regional marketing group to inform and celebrate the exceptional qualities of Wild Alaska Salmon."

What 2024 Saw With The Collaboration

• Retail Partners: Elevating the knowledge of seafood professionals to better share the incredible story of Wild Alaska Salmon.
• Digital Content Creation: Engaging social media campaigns and website resources from both organizations. Think delicious recipes, stunning fishing narratives, and environmental education.
• Consumer-Focused Outreach: Both Copper River Salmon and Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon display a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable fishing practices.

The goal? To inspire confidence in consumers’ decision-making while making Wild Alaska Salmon the top pick for dinner tables nationwide.

Get to Know the Teams

• Copper River/Prince William Sound Marketing Association represents over 560 commercial salmon fishermen in South-Central Alaska, promoting the legendary Copper River King, Sockeye, and Coho salmon. Learn more at copperrivermarketing.org.
• Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association works to increase the value of the Bristol Bay fishery through education, quality outreach, and marketing. Learn more at bbrsda.com.

So, whether you’re a long-time Wild Alaska Salmon fan or new to the world of sustainable seafood, 2024 was an exciting year to learn, cook, and fall in love with some of the salmon Alaska has to offer. Stay tuned to both organizations’ social channels for updates, and let’s continue to celebrate the incredible story of Wild Alaska Salmon! We will be posting more in-depth blog posts over the winter and spring months, taking you step-by-step into our collaboration!