A commercial fisherman’s perspective on the fight for Bristol Bay
You know the saying; “I get by with a little help from my friends”? As we cross into our second decade of advocacy for Bristol Bay, friends are more important than ever. The region is threatened by the proposed Pebble mine; an open pit mine compromising the planet’s last great salmon run. This kicks off a series of profiles on Bristol Bay advocates that have devoted their lives to safeguarding the region.
Did you know that if you took all of the salmon commercially caught in Bristol Bay, Alaska in 2024, and lined them up tip to tail, they would stretch from Alaska to Pennsylvania and back twice?
Pennsylvania is the home of Steve Kurian, owner of Pride of Bristol Bay and Wild for Salmon and longtime Trout Unlimited advocate and donor, so he understands just how far that is.
A conversation about conservation
Steve and his wife Jenn have been fishing in Bristol Bay for over two decades. Their businesses deliver wild, sustainably caught salmon from their nets to your table through their direct-to-door program and buying clubs.
From their annual migration northward, the Kurian’s know a thing or two about the regions famed fishery. They are well aware of the tie between intact headwater streams and the salmon that fill their nets. That’s why they donate 1 percent of their sales to TU’s Save Bristol Bay program. “I don’t believe the risk of polluting Bristol Bay is worth the reward of Pebble Mine’s precious metals.” Steve says. “I have chosen to use the protein-rich, wild salmon from this pristine ecosystem to have a conversation about conservation.”
#HuntFishStopPebble
Steve’s season in Southwest Alaska doesn’t end when he pulls his fishing vessel, “The Ava Jane,” out of Bristol Bay’s silty waters. He grew up fly fishing on occasion, but once he landed in Bristol Bay he became hooked. Now Steve fly fishes whenever he has the chance whether in his home waters of Pennsylvania or before and after each Bristol Bay commercial fishing season.
Like most anyone who hunts and fishes in Alaska’s wilds, he has epic tales to tell, and Steve didn’t just want to take other people’s word for why we should stop the Pebble Mine. A few years back, he and a friend flew into the proposed mine site and rafted 50 miles, hunting for moose and fishing for trout along the way. They shot not one but two moose, packing out hundreds of pounds of meat on their raft.
Inspiring the next generation
The permanent protection of Bristol Bay is a topic close to Steve’s heart in his role as a businessman but, perhaps more importantly, as a father. Raised on a hearty diet of both Alaskan summer adventures and Alaskan wild salmon, Steve and Jenn’s kids Ava and Tommy have Bristol Bay in their DNA. Ensuring that the next generation can experience the magic of the place is important to Steve; “If we cannot come together to protect somewhere as special as Bristol Bay, I fear that it will set the precedence that there is no wild place worth protecting.”
Steve’s words remind us that despite Bristol Bay being far out of sight for most Americans, it remains a region of national importance. It’s the best of what’s left after all.
Last fall, Trout Unlimited and partners traveled to Washington D.C to convey this fact to lawmakers who have the power to permanently protect the fishery. Steve joined us on this trip, and his many titles; fishermen, father, entrepreneur, Pennsylvanian, woven together to make him an incredibly compelling advocate. “It’s difficult work but work worth doing.” Said Steve, on his time at the U.S. Capitol.
Quick facts about Steve
- Years fished in Bristol Bay: 23
- Favorite way to eat salmon: Smoked salmon made by Bristol Bay locals. Traditional smoked salmon tells the story of the fish, the land and the people that have sustained for thousands of years because of this amazing resource.
- Fun item you bring fishing: My Leica 8×42 Binoculars as I love watching wildlife while on the waters. Seals, whales, bears, salmon jumping and all of the different birds!
- Where can you find Steve’s salmon?: Pride of Bristol Bay ships salmon across the country, Wild for Salmon has a storefront in Bloomsburg, PA as well as a shipping service that sends all sorts of Alaskan seafood direct to your door.
One percent of their sales go back to safeguarding Bristol Bay. Use TU10 for 10% off your first order with Wild for Salmon or Pride of Bristol Bay. Conservation has never tasted this good!
