MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Erin Mooney, National Press Secretary
703-284-9408
emooney@tu.org [1]
October Marks Alaska Wild Salmon Month in the Nation’s Capital
Join Trout Unlimited and Washington, D.C. Chefs and Restaurants in Promoting and Protecting Alaska’s Bristol Bay
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Together with a diverse coalition of chefs, restaurateurs, commercial fishermen, anglers, hunters, lodge owners, outfitters, guides and Alaska Native leaders, Trout Unlimited has designated October as Alaska Wild Salmon Month to shine a spotlight on Alaska’s Bristol Bay wild salmon and the risks they face from the proposed Pebble Mine, the world’s largest open-pit gold and copper mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska.
The proposed Pebble Mine threatens to pollute the pristine habitat of this iconic watershed which produces the world’s largest sockeye salmon run.
As part of Alaska Wild Salmon Month, a number of prominent D.C.-area restaurants will feature Bristol Bay salmon on their menus throughout October, including Equinox, owned by culinary leader, Chef Todd Gray. Rated among the top restaurants in Washington, D.C., Equinox won the 2008 Restaurant Association Award for Best Fine Dining.
“Bristol Bay sockeye salmon is truly superb. With wild salmon runs increasingly rare the world over, this outstanding fish deserves full-scale protection from proposed mining in Bristol Bay, one of the largest and most productive salmon spawning areas left on the planet. I’m honored to promote awareness of this wild salmon and the threat it faces,” Gray said.
Wild sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay, Alaska, are one of the tastiest, most plentiful and yet threatened fish on the planet. Tens of millions of ruby-red sockeye salmon return from the Pacific Ocean to their natal rivers in the wilds of Southwest Alaska each summer, to the same place where mining companies are planning to build one of the world’s largest open-pit gold and copper mines.
Trout Unlimited, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, is committed to stopping the Pebble Mine.
During the week of Oct. 19-23, Trout Unlimited will host several Bristol Bay wild salmon events in Washington, D.C. to celebrate Alaska Wild Salmon Month. These include meetings on Capitol Hill by a delegation of concerned Alaskans, a Bristol Bay wild salmon reception at the historic Stewart R. Mott House, and a screening of the award-winning documentary about Bristol Bay, Red Gold, followed by a panel discussion with Alaska Natives, policy makers and others at National Geographic headquarters.
Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the reception, film screening and panel discussion. Interviews with Trout Unlimited or members of the visiting Alaska delegation may be scheduled by contacting Erin Mooney, Trout Unlimited National Press Secretary at 703-284-9408 or at emooney@tu.org [1]. Photographs of wild salmon are available upon request.
Bristol Bay Wild Salmon Reception (by invitation)
When: October 21, 2009, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Stewart R. Mott House, 122 Maryland Avenue, NE , Washington , D.C, 20002
Red Gold Screening and Panel Discussion
When: October, 22, 2009, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th Street NW , Washington , D.C. , 20036
List of participating DC-area restaurants:
Blue Ridge Restaurant
Bon Appetit Management Co. cafes&restaurants
Coppi's Organic Restaurant
Equinox Restaurant
Granville Moore's
Harry's Tap Room
Hook Restaurant
Kaz Sushi Bistro
Poste Moderne Brasserie
Provence Cafe and Market ( Bridgeport , WV )
Redwood Restaurant and Bar
Rock Creek Mazza
Singapore Bistro
Sonoma Restaurant
List of visiting Alaskans and others available for interview:
Chef Kevin Davis, Steelhead Diner, Seattle , Washington
David Chambers, PhD, Center for Science in Public Participation, Bozeman , Montana
Carol Ann Woody, PhD, The Nature Conservancy, Anchorage , Alaska
Bobby Andrew, Alaska Native elder, Nunamta Aulukestai, Dillingham , Alaska
Rick Halford, Former Alaska Senate President, Anchorage , Alaska
Norm Van Vactor, Operations Manager, Leader Creek Fisheries, Naknek , Alaska
Bob Waldrop, Executive Director, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, Anchorage , Alaska
Charlotte Balluta, Environmental Officer, Nondalton Tribal Council
Lydia Olympic, Tribal Outreach Coordinator, The Wilderness Society, Anchorage , Alaska
Dan Oberlatz, Owner, Alaska Alpine Adventures, Anchorage , Alaska
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Links:
[1] mailto:emooney@tu.org