Honoring Our Oceans: Why Sustainable Seafood Matters More Than Ever
World Oceans Day, celebrated each June 8, is a global call to protect the blue heart of our planet. Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, generate most of the oxygen we breathe, and provide food, jobs, and inspiration for billions around the world.
At Sitka Seafood Market, we honor the ocean not just today, but every day. By partnering with small-boat fishermen who prioritize responsible harvesting, we help ensure our waters remain wild, abundant, and clean — for today’s families and tomorrow’s.
Why Ocean Health Is Personal to Us
As a company rooted in Alaska’s coastal communities, we see firsthand how the ocean supports every part of our lives — from feeding families to supporting sustainable livelihoods. But our oceans are under pressure: marine debris, overfishing, and climate change threaten marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
That’s why we’re proud to support — and be part of — a growing movement toward ocean stewardship.
Local Action That Makes a Difference: Southeast Alaska’s Marine Debris Cleanup
This year, we’re celebrating the remarkable work of The Foss Family on the F/V Axel, a Sitka-based commercial trolling family and long-standing contributor to our seafood community. With support from the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Debris Program, The Foss family is leading a cleanup effort to remove marine debris from remote stretches of Southeast Alaska’s coastline.
This project is especially powerful because it puts stewardship in the hands of those who know the ocean best: — fishermen.
“For the past 13 years we have seen and collected marine debris while out fishing. We could never make a dent. Finding a funding source allows us to clean up some remote, rugged shoreline where we spend the summers fishing. Small trollers like ours make it easier to access tight anchorages.”
— The Foss Family
The Foss family’s project is a compelling example of how local knowledge, supported by targeted funding, can lead to real environmental change. Sitka Seafood Market proudly supports efforts like these that keep our waters healthy — not just for fish and wildlife, but for the fishing families who make what we do possible.
What Sitka Seafood Market Stands For
At Sitka Seafood Market, sustainability is more than a buzzword — it’s our business model. That includes:
- Traceable seafood: You’ll know where your fish came from and who caught it.
- Small-boat sourcing: Our fishermen use low-impact gear and harvest responsibly.
- Seasonal variety: We only offer what’s abundant and in season.
- Cleaner oceans: We support initiatives that protect the waters we all rely on.
Every box we ship is a celebration of thoughtful harvest, respect for nature, and care for the communities we work with.
What You Can Do This World Oceans Day
You don’t need to live by the coast to make a difference. Here are a few ways to support healthier oceans:
- Choose traceable, sustainable seafood
- Support cleanup programs like Alaska Sea Grant’s efforts and others in your local community
- Share your knowledge and inspire others to care
Together, these small acts build toward a future where our oceans are healthy, vibrant, and full of life.
