Wild Caught Seafood vs. Organic: Is There A Difference? Organic agriculture is rapidly on the rise. The organic food industry is estimated to be worth over $263 billion by next year. Organic foods are loaded with health benefits and are promised to be free of synthetic materials. But what about organic ...

Why should we care about salmon? Salmon form an incredible link between the nutrient-rich waters of the ocean and relatively nutrient-poor freshwater ecosystems (and their adjacent terrestrial landscapes). Salmon are anadromous, meaning they are born in freshwater streams and lakes, and after spending some amount of their young lives in ...

Trying to get the most complete and accurate count of salmon as they migrate up the mighty Copper River can be tricky. However, the advancement in technology and the Miles Lake sonar project provides vital information to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) for sustainable the ...

Sustainability and conservation are Alaskan values. The fishing families of south-central Alaska are independent, small business owners dedicated to long-term sustainability of wild salmon stocks, the environment and way of life. Our passion not only preserves our livelihood but also ensures abundance for future generations.  Gillnetting is a common ...

The connection between fungus and fish goes deeper than just culinary delights. They are a part of a symbiotic cycle that keeps our forests and fisheries healthy. Salmon are a keystone species for the ecosystems in which they live. This means that all other living things depend on salmon in ...

My name is Iris Fletcher. I was born and raised in Homer, attended University of Alaska Fairbanks to attain my bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Biology, and Marine Sciences, and briefly lived in Anchorage before moving (technically) back to Homer. I say technically because I currently have remote seasonal jobs ...

Lessons on the Copper River Delta: A Salmon System Words and photos by Kate Morse        Where the mountains meet the sea—and where humpbacks swim nearby….that’s what drew me fresh from college (and the East Coast) up to Cordova, AK. I might have applied ...

Winter in Alaska is marked by especially cold temperatures and short days. Here in Southcentral Alaska, along the Gulf Coast we also see an increased potential of heavy snowfall. This dense, coastal snow is both beautiful and beneficial to the surrounding ecosystem. Temperate maritime air from the Gulf of Alaska ...

Every fall in coastal Alaska summer abundance begins to wane as the seasons shift. Nowhere will this change become more evident than in the coastal forests where the streams are full of salmon and the forest floor is covered in mushrooms; hedgehogs, porcinis and winter chanterelles. These wild treats are ...

The Journey Spring has sprung, earlier this year than nearly ever before. Baby salmon are awake and moving. They are growing eagerly under the sunlight that’s increasing by minutes each day. By now they’ve used up the last of the energy stores left to them by their mothers. ...