Copper River Salmon

Interview with Lisa Nguyen

2024-02-06

"I don’t know how I can go back to eating salmon at the store after eating Copper River salmon. Just seeing the process, how it’s all done, it's just amazing."

A Culinary Voyage of Copper River Salmon with Lisa Bryan

2023-11-28

I really appreciated talking to several fishermen to get a better understanding of their process - from catching the salmon to cleaning the salmon to flash-freezing the salmon and gently handling each salmon individually along that process. The respect that the fishermen have for their catch and the environment in general was truly inspiring.

A Culinary Voyage of Copper River Salmon with Shanna Schad

2023-10-30

Getting to see firsthand how much care and respect goes into catching the salmon to preparing them for shipping helps me be able to better inform my readers on why Copper River Salmon is my top choice and helps them to make that choice as well. The more they trust me about my knowledge and ability to lead them in the right direction for choosing the best wild Alaskan salmon, the better for everyone. I love telling everyone about how amazing Copper River Salmon is and now I am even more well informed since this trip.

It was so amazing to meet a group of people who are truly passionate about what they do for a living without money ever once being mentioned. Because this is their way of life, not just a "job". And they all clearly love it no matter the bad weather days, the lower fish counts etc. It is not easy work at all and what they do and sacrifice to get these gorgeous salmon fillets on our plates, I will never ever take for granted.

Chef Thoughts with Lesa Lewis

2023-09-12

One thing that really blows my mind is the dedication that I see in Cordova. It’s like the whole community is centered around one single fish. It’s pretty spectacular. And I think as chefs we try to source the best possible quality items and this is just eye opening because it tells a story.

Chef Thoughts with Kenneth Anderson

2023-09-06

Before coming here, I didn't truly know what Copper River salmon was. To see the science and sustainability connected to the fish; where you can fish, how many people can go out there and what times they can fish, all of that was already pretty mind blowing. But to see the sustainability of the community, that really hit me in a different way. So having this information and thinking wow, there’s more to come is truly something to look forward to. Everybody in some kind of way is connected to salmon there, like I really don’t know if there’s anyone who lives there who isn't connected to salmon! Not even fish in general, but SALMON. Life is centered around salmon in Cordova, and I just think that's so amazing. Out of all the traveling I've done, which has been a lot of food travel, I’ve never experienced anything quite like this.

Chef Thoughts with Akshay Bhardwaj

2023-08-14

I think on this trip particularly, there was a great balance of learning and seeing a lot. We got to experience the inner workings of a town of around 2,600 people and saw how the whole community is working towards one product. We use different products, you know, all the time and I don’t know about you guys, but for me, I’m in a concrete jungle–I’m not in a real jungle [laughs] I’m not seeing fishermen boats, you know, leaving the docks, I’m not getting those kinds of experiences. I’ll use this product and try to respect it as much as possible, but I think my respect for it went up exponentially after a trip like this.

Chef Thoughts with Kevin Guard

2023-08-02

Chef Kevin Guard from the Guarden during his time in Cordova land learning about our small boat fishing community.

River of Celebration: A Tribute to 40 Years of Fresh Copper River Salmon

2023-06-01

River of Celebration is a tribute poem celebrating the 40th Anniversary of FRESH Copper River Salmon.

Three Reasons Why Copper River Salmon is So Special

2023-05-09

Copper River salmon are well known as the finest salmon in the world.

Some people wonder if it's all media hype. Can one type of salmon from one single river really be better than all the other salmon in the world? The answer is simple.

Yes, salmon from different areas are different, with some being clearly better than others.

And yes, Copper River salmon is the best.

I have eaten a lot of salmon in my lifetime, and I couldn't agree more.

Copper River salmon is special for these three reasons:

First Salmon

Wild fish is seasonal, just like fruits and vegetables. Wild salmon are caught only when returning back to the river they were born in, and depending on the location and species, this happens at a very particular time of year. Copper River salmon just happen to be the first wild commercially fished salmon to spawn in the spring. The fish from the very first Copper River opener are the most coveted salmon on the planet.

Omega 3's

Not all salmon are created equal. The Copper River is a long, cold, and powerful river in Alaska. This arduous upstream swim requires enormous exertion, and the salmon have to rely on huge reserves of built-up fat for fuel and insulation. This extra high Omega-3 fat content gives the salmon its rich, moist, and delicious flavor; as well as outstanding health benefits.

Handling

Because Copper River fishermen know their fish are special and the very best, they treat them that way- with the respect they deserve. The Copper River fishery is slower-paced than other salmon fisheries. This gives fishermen more time to handle each fish properly and cool them quickly. Our small-boat fishermen understand and prioritize quality over quantity.

Word has gotten out about Copper River salmon, and the first opener is much anticipated.

This year, the first Copper River opener will be on May 15th, 2023.

Both Copper River King and Sockeye are typically caught during the first opener. The fish from the first few openers are in such high demand, they are sold as fast as they are caught, and sometimes before.

Premium fish markets, grocery stores, and top restaurants are competing for these fish. Supply is always limited and everyone does not get what they want. It's all about access to the resource, and lucky for you, I know a guy.

My husband Rich is a fisherman, and he runs 60 North Seafoods, our premium processing facility. We sell these first few fish by pre-order.

Eat wild to save wild!

- Sena Wheeler

www.senasea.com

About the Author:

Sena Wheeler holds a degree in nutrition and food science in addition to being a mom, foodie, and third-generation fisherman's wife. Visit her at senasea.com where she blogs about family, fish, and food.

Alaska's Small Boat Commercial Fishing Industry

2023-03-30

Alaska is known for its vast natural resources, particularly its bountiful fisheries. The state’s marine ecosystem supports an abundance of seafood, including salmon, halibut, crab, and cod. These fisheries not only provide a livelihood for the state's fishermen but also support processing managers, scientists, and law enforcement officers. The sustainable management of these fisheries is essential to ensuring their long-term health and viability, as well as the health and economic well-being of the coastal communities that rely on them.