Conservation Site Drops MSC-Certified Alaska Salmon Over Ecological Harm

A leading conservation website has stopped recommending Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)–certified salmon fisheries in southeast Alaska. The move follows growing concerns over the impact on depleted salmon stocks and endangered Southern Resident killer whales. A recent objection from British Columbia–based groups highlighted the fishery’s role in worsening the decline of vulnerable species. In May 2024, three conservation organisations filed an official objection against the MSC-certified southeast Alaska fishery. Their concerns included interception of mixed salmon stocks, high bycatch rates, and threats to endangered species. The fishery was accused of undermining recovery efforts for both Southern Resident orcas and threatened Chinook salmon.

A court ruling in August 2022 had already found that the fishery violated the Endangered Species Act. The decision confirmed that its operations hindered the recovery of orcas and Chinook, which rely on the same salmon stocks for survival. Data later showed that Alaska’s fishery accounted for a significant portion of catches from stocks already below safe biological limits.

In District 104, purse seine fishing primarily targets other species but still catches sockeye salmon from critically low populations. The fishery also retains Chinook salmon, directly reducing the food supply for endangered orcas. After reviewing the evidence and consulting the Salmon Advisory Committee, the website removed its recommendation for these MSC-certified fisheries. The decision removes support for a fishery linked to overharvesting and ecological harm. Southeast Alaska’s salmon catches will no longer be promoted due to their impact on struggling stocks and protected species. The move aligns with legal findings and conservation efforts to safeguard endangered marine life.