Healthy Return of Frasier River Sockeye Sparks Excitement of the "Old Days."

There has been a buzz around town regarding the Salish Sea Sockeye run this summer.  We experienced the largest return of salmon since 1913.  Some of the fishermen had some big days this year--a nice reminder that Puget Sound fishermen used to make a living right here at home without relying on Alaskan watersheds.  Aahhh, it was nice.  Plus, the sockeye were ESPECIALLY tasty, having to do with their fat content or what they ate or something.  Some of our customers became aware of this extra tasty Sockeye and came back for more every week, so that was fun, too.

This blog is filled with important information, some of it feels pretty doom and gloom about the state of the Frasier River system.  I wanted to retain the good feelings of a great sockeye season but also wanted to address this question that many of you have been wondering:

If the Frasier River is not doing well, then how do you explain this sockeye run?

So, Are Frasier River Salmon In Trouble? or what?

Sockeye Face (photo from Alexandra Morton's webpage)

I've been wondering how this run of salmon could be so great after dismal returns to the Frasier River in recent years. I would like to direct you to Ms. Morton. Please read the following paragraph and then click the link to the rest of the article. This is your official homework. For those of you new to our fish list. I feel it is important for us to stay current on fish news and politics, so occassionally I make parts of these emails "required reading". Because we enjoy eating this wonderful resource for dinner, please take the time to read about our friend salmon:

The 2010 Fraser Sockeye return is a phenomena. The fishermen have not seen it this good for 50 years. They keep thinking the last sockeye has entered Johnstone Strait, but the fish just keep pouring in from the Pacific at both ends of Vancouver Island. I go and float with them every morning in Queen Charlotte Strait and watch them finning all around me, rolling at the surface like porpoises, always pointing south, never stopping. Hundreds of miles away newspapers in Fraser River towns are reporting an economic boon from all the people pouring in to the fish. (read the rest of this article)

Other News

T-shirt Logo

Along with the fresh batch of fish, we have a fresh batch of Matt's Fresh Fish t-shirts (and Compost It t-shirts). These shirts come in all sizes and colors so be sure to purchase one while you are at the shop (or online).  You can wear these t-shirts with pride for several reasons.

1. We only use t-shirts made with organic cotton or recycled content so you can help save Mother Earth.
2. We use a local screen printer/artist (Jennifer Rigg of Loea Design) so you can help build local economy-TWICE!
3. Jennifer also uses environmentally-friendly soy-based inks.
4. You really can feel pride because Matt Marinkovich really does care about you and the food you eat. He bleeds, cleans and ices while he is out there fishing so you get the freshest, tastiest fish available. There is no comparison when you know who harvested your food and they can tell you all about it.