Meet Modern Farmer’s Guest Instagrammer: Alaskans Own

Eric Jordan

You’re probably aware of community-supported agriculture. Alaskans Own is similar, but instead of cabbage, it’s cod; and instead of ham, it’s halibut. The first of its kind in Alaska, it began seven years ago under the auspices of the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust, a non-profit that works to “strengthen Alaskan fishing communities and marine resources through scientific research, education and economic opportunity,” according to the organization.

Alaskans Own is modeled after CSA programs and provides subscribers with a variety of fish caught in the Gulf of Alaska during the July to October fishing season. The monthly share of fish, which is made up of 40 pounds (they also do half shares) of whatever happened to have been caught that month, is blast-frozen, a technique that helps preserve the product’s quality. The profits go towards scientific research and conservation initiatives for the Alaskan fisheries. But, don’t worry, the fisherman get paid, too.

Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust

“We work with a network of over fifty fishermen who have taken a pledge to fish sustainably,” says Caroline Lester, project manager for Alaskans Own. “All our fish are caught by hook and line with the lowest rates of bycatch.”

They provide black cod, ling cod, halibut, rockfish, coho salmon and king salmon to the Alaskan communities of Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage, as well as Seattle, Washington. Alaskans Own also fulfills custom orders across the United States.

Caroline Lester