Savor Bristol Bay Week At Blueacre Seafood And Steelhead Diner

Blueacre Seafood and Steelhead Diner is taking part in Savor Bristol Bay Week (July 4-10, 2010), featuring Bristol Bay sockeye salmon on their menus and encouraging guests to "vote with their forks." The Alaska fishery faces threats from a proposed large-scale mining operation.

Bristol Bay is the largest wild salmon fishery in the US and contributes 40 percent of the world's sockeye salmon supply. Tens of millions of salmon migrate back to the Bay each year (up to 62 million in a three week period). Along with providing healthy Omega-3 fatty acid fish for human consumption, local wildlife depends on those returning salmon for their survival (bald eagles, moose, seals, walruses, grizzly and black bears, beavers, wolverines, freshwater seals, porcupines, river otters, beluga and killer whales, foxes, caribou, wolves, waterfowl, migratory birds). Bristol Bay fisheries employ thousands of people. In addition, indigenous Alaskan natives have harvested salmon for generations, preserving summer catches for winter food. Fishermen the world over travel to Bristol Bay for some of the best fly fishing; outdoorsmen explore the area, viewing wildlife, kayaking, hiking and taking photographs. Small businesses are supported by these visitors.

Chef Kevin Davis says "We're pleased to support Savor Bristol Bay Week. It's not a question of being pro- or anti-mining. I realize there's a lot of money at stake, but the headwaters of Bristol Bay is simply one of the worst possible places on earth for a mine like Pebble. The close proximity to the salmon runs, the inevitability of toxic releases, and the massive amount of fish habitat that would be destroyed make this mine a disaster in the making. In light of what we're seeing happening to the Gulf of Mexico, it's unconscionable to even consider building this mine. Let's decide to do something and stop the Pebble project before it's too late."

Consumers can vote with their forks at Blueacre, Steelhead Diner and nearly 40 other restaurants in Washington and Oregon, as well as several markets, like PCC.