Bristol Bay Commercial Fishermen Applaud BLM Decision to Protect 28 Million Acres in Alaska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Bristol Bay Commercial Fishermen Applaud BLM Decision to Protect 28 Million Acres in Alaska

Dillingham, Alaska | September 2024 — Today, Bristol Bay’s Commercial Fishermen express their appreciation to Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Biden Administration for their decisive action to protect 28 million acres of federally managed "D-1" lands in Alaska, including 1.2 million acres in the Bristol Bay region. This critical decision marks a significant victory for the fishing communities that rely on these pristine lands and waters to sustain the world's largest wild salmon fishery, a resource of global significance that feeds millions and supports economies worldwide.

The possibility of opening these long-protected lands to extractive development posed a severe threat to the watersheds that nourish Bristol Bay. The BLM's final environmental impact statement (FEIS), a comprehensive and thorough assessment, and Secretary Haaland's decision reinforce the critical importance of maintaining protections on Alaska’s D-1 lands. These lands are indispensable to the health of the ecosystems that support the millions of wild salmon that return to Bristol Bay each year, driving both the local economy and the livelihoods of commercial fishermen.

"This decision is a monumental victory for Bristol Bay and for the 8,000 fishermen and countless communities that depend on this irreplaceable resource," stated Lilani Dunn, Executive Director of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA). "By safeguarding these lands, Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration have not only protected our livelihoods but have also taken a decisive stand for the sustainable management of one of the world's most vital and prolific wild salmon fisheries. This is a win not just for today, but for generations to come."

"We are incredibly grateful that Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration have recognized the importance of these lands," said Nels Ure, Communications Director of Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay (CFBB). "This decision ensures the continued productivity of the Bristol Bay fishery, which is not only the economic backbone of our communities but also a globally significant resource. Protecting these lands is essential for the future of our fisheries, our livelihoods, and the sustainable management of the world's premiere wild sockeye run."

Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay (CFBB) and the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) recognize the importance of this decision in preserving the Bristol Bay fishery, which supports thousands of jobs and generates millions of dollars in revenue annually. This decision will ensure that future generations can sustainably harvest these waters' bountiful resources.

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Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay is a national coalition of commercial fishermen working to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska and the 15,000 jobs, $2.2 billion in economic activity, and generational fishery that Bristol Bay’s wild Salmon provide. 

Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association represents the economic interest of over 8,000 commercial Bristol Bay salmon fishermen who hail from Alaska and nearly every other US State