Iliamna Fish Co.

Iliamna Fish Co. is a 4th generation family-owned fishing cooperative in Alaska. Christopher Nicolson hand-catches vibrant, firm-fleshed fish on a 20-foot fishing boat. Instead of giving in to the market pressure of large-scale industrial fishing, they’ve stayed true to their sustainable fishing practices which ensure wild salmon return for generations to come. They are also members of Salmon Nation, a Pactific coastal collective that recognized the way our lives intertwine with the environment. They believe that healthy salmon stocks are vital to the overall health of the region and environment.

Transparency is a priority for Iliamna Fish Co., something that is often lacking in the fishing industry. For the last 10 years, they have invited individuals to take part in their sustainably managed fishery as shareholders, sort of like a fish CSA. This helps to manage their sustainable fishery and share the harvest. Their fish is never farmed or genetically modified, and also caught by hand from Iliamna lake. The small 20-foot boats work to preserve the quality of the fish and protect fish from being crushed or roughly harvested as they are in industrial machinery. The fish is rich in vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids. Fisherman Christopher’s salmon has been praised by Chefs at Blue Hill at Stone Barns and is sushi-grade.