Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Announces Winners of the First-Ever Alaska Commercial Fishing Video Contest

JUNEAU, Alaska, Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day, fishermen brave the waters of Alaska to bring wild seafood from the sea to table for the world to enjoy. To recognize the men and women dedicated to harvesting wild, natural and sustainable seafood, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) put out a call for video submissions for the first-ever Alaska Seafood Commercial Fishing Video Contest. ASMI received entries from fishermen who shared their personal stories showcasing why an exhausting but beautiful life on or near the water is worth it for many reasons. The contest is one of many efforts all-month long to celebrate National Seafood Month in October.

Today, ASMI announced that Kamirin Couch, a Cook Inlet Alaska salmon fisherman, received the grand prize for her video, "Alaska Commercial Fishing Roots Run Deep. Ms. Couch is a fourth-generation Alaska fisherman. She decided to become a fisherman because harvesting wild Alaska seafood connects her to family roots and gives her a sense of freedom that can only be found on Alaska waters.

"Once you become a fisherman, it really does become a part of your blood and I can appreciate now why my great grandparents started," said Ms. Couch. "Fishing gives me so much joy and knowing that this has been handed down for so many generations makes it all worth it to me. I'm honored to receive the first-ever Alaska Seafood Commercial Fishing Video Contest grand prize."

Winning the second-place prize is Jonny Antoni with a video that shares a behind-the-scenes look at power trolling for Alaska salmon and the careful harvesting and processing methods that go into sharing Alaska seafood with the world. Chad Walling, a Southeast Alaska halibut longline fisherman, and Krystal Sentz, a Southeast Alaska salmon troller, tied for the third-place prize with videos showcasing their personal experiences as Alaska fishermen.

"We launched this contest to provide an elevated opportunity for Alaska fishermen and industry members to share their stories about why fishing for, and as a consumer choosing, wild-caught Alaska seafood is worth it," said Jeremy Woodrow, ASMI communications director. "We are beyond impressed and humbled by the videos entered and can't wait to share them with the world."

To highlight the importance of domestic, sustainable seafood during National Seafood Month, ASMI is sharing several ways home cooks, chefs, fishermen, retailers and industry members can take part in the occasion through Alaska Seafood Month, Commercial Fishing Day, and #AskForAlaska.

Alaska salmon, whitefish and shellfish make up over 60 percent of all the wild-caught seafood harvested in the U.S. In honor of Alaska's wild, natural and sustainable fisheries and to recognize the men and women working in the Alaska seafood industry, the month of October has also been proclaimed Alaska Seafood Month and October 25 as Commercial Fishing Day by Alaska Governor Bill Walker.

One of the easiest ways for consumers to enjoy National Seafood Month with wild and natural seafood is to simply eat seafood from Alaska. "Ask for Alaska" at the seafood counter, dining hall or local restaurant, and look for "Alaska" on frozen and canned seafood packaging. Shoppers can join the discussion online by sharing posts and pictures on social media using #AskForAlaska. For more reasons to #AskForAlaska, check out 7 Reasons to Ask for Alaska Seafood.

For more stories from the Alaska seafood industry, visit www.wildalaskaseafood.com and follow Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.

About Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute: 
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is a partnership of the State of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry promoting the benefits of wild and sustainable Alaska seafood and offering seafood industry education. The seafood industry is Alaska's largest private sector employer with nearly 60 percent of all wild seafood and 90-95 percent of wild salmon harvested in the U.S. coming from Alaska. In addition to wild salmon, Alaska is known for its crab and whitefish varieties such as cod, sablefish, halibut, Alaska pollock, sole and rockfish – available fresh or frozen year-round. Alaska has been dedicated to sustainable seafood for more than 50 years and is the only state with a constitution that mandates all seafood be managed under the sustained yield principle. Alaska has taken a leadership role in setting the global standard for precautionary resource management to protect fisheries and surrounding habitats for future generations and leading to an ever-replenishing supply of wild seafood for markets worldwide.

SOURCE Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute