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Kwik’pak Fisheries is the only seafood company in the world to have been selected for membership in the Fair Trade Federation (Photo: Kwik'pak)
River of Opportunity
(UNITED STATES, 8/21/2010)
Nearly 10,000 years ago, ancestors of Alaska’s Yupik Eskimos crossed over the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia in search of food. They settled along the banks of the Yukon River, where tremendous runs of wild salmon and abundant game provided everything they needed to survive.
In more recent times, however, the Yupik people sought to better their lives. They wanted to market their precious wild salmon, but their isolated location made this difficult. Because of this remoteness, the area has long been overlooked by much of the outside world.
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| Kwik’pak Fisheries is a community based business formed by six local villages |
In an effort to help the people profit from the sale of their prized catch, the Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association (YDFDA) formed Kwik’pak Fisheries to bring the renowned Yukon Salmon to market. Today, Kwik’pak Fisheries acts as a guaranteed salmon buyer and processor for hundreds of Delta area families.
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| Yukon River salmon is sought after around the world |
Kwik’pak Fisheries is, in a manner of speaking, a community-based business, formed by six local villages. They are working to build the regional economy by offering employment, training and educational opportunities to area residents and their families. In addition to work tied directly to their fishing and buying operations, Kwik’pak Fisheries has helped other small businesses in the villages along the river.
The jobs provided by these activities enable Yupik families to continue the traditional lifestyle their people have practiced for thousands of years, fishing, hunting and living off the land.
Subsistence fishing has been the mainstay of the Yupik people for generations. Today, income derived from commercial fishing helps them to preserve their long standing traditions. Before each commercial season begins, Yupik families travel to “fish camps” to catch, dry and store the fish that will sustain them through the winter.
Kwik’pak Fisheries continues to develop markets for whitefish, lamprey and other winter fish to provide villagers with much needed income during leaner winter months. What’s more, they consistently work hand in hand with Alaska Department of Fish and Game to sustainably manage the salmon season. The Fisheries guarantee to purchase every fish caught during the commercial fishing season. This allows villagers on the lower river to catch and sell as many fresh salmon as possible.
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| Wild Yukon River salmon from Kwik’pak Fisheries is available in three convenient packages: Fillets, Traditional Yukon Keta Strips and Keta Candy. These three styles of salmon have been part of the Yupik Eskimo tradition for centuries. |
In an effort to assure consumers that the salmon they are buying is authentic Yukon River salmon, Kwik’Pak Fisheries works with Trace Register, a global food traceability company. It is the only wild salmon company in Alaska to offer 100 percent traceable salmon.
The Trace Register system “traces” the salmon back to the Yukon River. The purchaser has the option of entering the UPC code at point of purchase or post-purchase. This product code takes the customer to a special web page that verifies the origin of the product. In addition to benefiting the consumer, supply chain traceability also helps ensure that the Yupik families who fish for Kwik’pak get a well-deserved premium for their efforts—and their superior salmon.
Furthermore, Kwik’pak Fisheries holds the distinction of being the only seafood company in the world to have been selected for membership in the Fair Trade Federation (FTF). FTF membership is based on continuous improvement in, and application of, economic, social, cultural, and environmentally sustainable practices.
About the Yupik People and the Great River
The mighty Yukon River cuts through the Alaskan landscape like a jagged tear on a map. Yet despite its well deserved, powerful reputation, it is part of a fragile ecosystem that must be protected.
For the Yupik people, taking care of nature is, if you will, second nature. They are committed to preserving the resources that have provided for their people for thousands of years to come.
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| Subsistence fishing has been the mainstay of the Yupik people for generations |
Accordingly, Kwik’pak Fisheries, working in partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, recognizes and welcomes the responsibility they share to protect the environment and the future of their fishery.
Photos y Video: Kwik'pak Fisheries
Margaret E.L. Stacey
Editor Companies and Products
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
Information of the company:
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Address:
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1016 West Sixth Avenue Suite 301
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City:
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Anchorage
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State/ZIP:
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Alaska (AK 99501)
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Country:
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United States
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Phone:
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+1 907-644-0326
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E-Mail:
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[email protected]
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More about: 
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Approval / Accreditation / Certified / Oversight by...
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