We Take Our Fish Seriously
The Copper River and Prince William Sound salmon runs are all carefully managed for long-term sustainability by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. ADF&G and the Native Village of Eyak install and monitor sonar counters and fish wheels at several points along the Copper River that count each fish heading up the river to ensure an adequate number migrate to spawning grounds to reproduce each year. ADF&G also performs aerial surveys of fishing grounds to estimate the number of migrating fish throughout the season.
When fishery managers see that enough fish have escaped through the counters (called escapement), they open the fishing grounds for commercial fishing for a determined amount of time. Early season openings are shorter, usually 12 or 24 hours, and get longer as the season progresses, usually 24 or 48 hours long.
Salmon returning to the Copper River face up to a 300-mile journey to return to spawning grounds, making it one of the most strenuous spawning journeys a salmon can take. Copper River salmon are uniquely suited for such a journey. Their flesh is firm with muscle to force their way against hundreds of miles of relentless current. All that muscle is fueled by Omega-3 oil, which can help prevent heart disease, and possibly inhibit some cancers. Many doctors and nutrition experts recommend eating foods rich in Omega-3 oils, and Copper River Salmon are among the richest.
Pacific salmon do not feed once they have entered fresh water, so the longer and more difficult their journey up river, the more stores of Omega-3 oils the fish have. This unique combination of high oil content and firm texture places Copper River Salmon with the best tasting, most nutritious salmon in the world. Only nature can provide optimum growing conditions. Only nature can provide the Wild Copper River Salmon.