This New Year, Easily Achieve Your Sustainable Fish Resolution with Sitka Salmon Shares

As the new year dawns, many of us ponder resolutions, setting intentions for personal growth and well-being. While I typically shy away from formal declarations, a recent introspection into my upcoming blog content revealed a clear pattern: a collection of aspirations for myself and my family in the coming year. Perhaps, in essence, I am embracing the spirit of New Year’s resolutions after all, framing them not as rigid rules but as guiding principles for a more intentional life.

One such resolution, simple yet profound, is to integrate more fish into our diet – and not just any fish, but sustainably sourced seafood. With our family growing, the importance of consuming high-quality, ethically harvested fish has become a paramount concern. In an era where alarming reports highlight the presence of non-degradable chemicals in some supermarket seafood, taking chances with our health and the environment simply isn’t an option. Our commitment is to make informed choices that benefit both our family and the planet.

This conscious shift stands in stark contrast to my childhood experiences. I recall vivid memories of accompanying my father to the local fish market. It was a chaotic scene: bustling shoppers vying for attention, gruff fishmongers, and, most distinctively, mounds of peculiar-looking, intensely odorous fish. During those times, finding staples like chicken or beef was often a challenge, but fish was abundant. It was displayed in neat rows, yet the pungent aroma that permeated the air was unforgettable. As we navigated past white ceramic tiled counters overflowing with a medley of fresh, frozen, and smoked aquatic creatures, the smell was so overwhelming it could almost make you choke. Visually, it was a curious blend of melting ice, smeared blood, shimmering mackerel scales, and smoked herring with its dirty copper hues. While the sensory assault might normally deter anyone, we had no alternative. This was where we purchased our next meal.

Fortunately, times have evolved dramatically, and with them, our understanding of responsible sourcing. Today, an increasing number of dedicated researchers and resilient fishermen and women are championing practices centered around wild-caught fish, harvested using methods that actively minimize ecological impact. They prioritize traceability and foster community-focused initiatives. Even in an industry still grappling with widespread challenges such as overfishing, questionable imports, and even outright fraud, these innovators represent beacons of hope and positive change. It was with immense satisfaction that I recently discovered one such pioneering company, Sitka Salmon Shares, whose commitment to mindful fishing and superior seafood genuinely impressed me.

Sitka Salmon Shares was co-founded in 2011 by Dr. Nicolaas Mink, an esteemed college professor and environmental studies expert. His journey began following a transformative summer trip to Sitka, Alaska, an experience that fundamentally reshaped his perspective on seafood. Fast forward to today, Sitka Salmon Shares (SSS) has cultivated a stellar reputation for delivering premium, sustainable, wild Alaskan seafood directly to consumers. Customers achieve this by joining SSS’s innovative Community Supported Fishery (CSF) program, which grants them a valuable “share” of the exquisite catch from one of the participating fishing families. The fish, harvested from the pristine waters of Southeast Alaska and the North Pacific, is meticulously prepared and sent directly to customers’ doorsteps. Each delivery is accompanied by thoughtful recipes and a newsletter introducing the dedicated fishermen responsible for that month’s harvest, forging a genuine connection between consumer and source.

The distinctive quality of SSS salmon begins with its harvesting method: it’s caught by hook-and-line. This traditional technique is crucial for minimizing negative ecological impact, as it significantly reduces bycatch – the unintentional capture of other marine life. Beyond its environmental benefits, this method also ensures a higher-quality, more sustainable salmon product. Furthermore, every fish is fully traceable back to the specific boats of SSS fishermen. This transparency not only builds trust but also empowers the fishermen, who receive an average of 20-30% more for their meticulous harvest, translating to up to an additional $10,000 in income during a given season. This equitable compensation model fosters a sustainable livelihood for fishing communities and encourages responsible practices.

So, what truly sets SSS seafood apart and makes it so exceptionally special? The meticulous process begins immediately after capture. Their dedicated fishermen individually bleed each fish as soon as it’s brought aboard. This vital step significantly enhances the flavor and texture of the delicate flesh. Following this, the fish are instantly immersed in slush ice, a rapid cooling method that perfectly preserves their pristine condition. Crucially, these fishermen deliver their catch to port within a maximum of three days, a stark improvement over the industry standard of five days. Upon arrival, SSS experts hand-fillet and portion each fish with precision – a testament to their commitment to quality, eschewing impersonal fish-cutting machines. The final, critical step involves advanced blast-freezing technology. Fish are frozen in small batches at an extreme -33°F or colder. This method “freezes the fish solid in two hours or less, quickly locking in the fish’s fresh taste and texture,” guaranteeing that it can be stored in customers’ freezers for many months with virtually no decline in quality. Indeed, representatives from Sitka Salmon confidently assert that a salmon caught in July and enjoyed the following February is, in fact, much fresher than supermarket salmon often deceptively labeled and sold as “fresh.”

Intrigued by this bold claim, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my SSS sample box, curious to discover if their salmon truly delivered on its promise of unparalleled freshness. The box contained several magnificent pieces of Coho salmon, a species Sitka Salmon Shares identifies as their most versatile. Its mild flavor and firm texture make it exceptionally adaptable to a wide array of culinary preparations and styles, whether grilled, baked, poached, or even served raw. The blast-freezing technology employed by SSS plays a crucial role here, effectively neutralizing any potential parasites, thus making it safe and delightful for sashimi or poke preparations.

“Respect” became my guiding principle as I developed recipes for the Sitka Salmon fish. My intention was to honor the exceptional quality of the seafood, to acknowledge the diligent efforts of the fishermen who brought it to my table, and to support the community that relies on spreading this message of sustainable practice. In essence, I aimed for the pure, unadulterated flavor of the fish to truly shine, with minimal intervention from other strong flavors. With this philosophy in mind, I decided to incorporate the fish into several salads. My first creation was a vibrant pasta salad featuring the beautiful wild Alaskan Coho salmon. I treated the salmon with elegant simplicity, gently pan-frying it in a touch of butter.

Seasoned with nothing more than a sprinkle of salt and a grind of fresh pepper, allowing its natural essence to dominate.

Once perfectly cooked, I delicately flaked the salmon into small, succulent chunks. These were then folded into a delightful salad base featuring colorful artisan bow tie pasta, crisp fresh green onions, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a generous sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for an added layer of texture and savory depth.

One detail that initially surprised me while preparing the fish was the presence of small bones. I had presumed the Sitka Salmon team would have removed them entirely. However, upon further investigation, I learned these were “pin bones,” and their presence is completely normal for such expertly prepared fish. Sitka Salmon Shares thoughtfully provides a helpful tutorial on how to easily remove these pin bones on their website, a resource I found incredibly useful and reassuring, highlighting their commitment to educating customers.

The resulting pasta salad was nothing short of spectacular, with the salmon undeniably stealing the show – an outcome that, considering its superior quality, was entirely expected. Unlike its grocery store counterparts, the salmon I received from SSS exhibited no excess fat beneath the skin, and the skin itself was beautifully supple and non-gelatinous. The flesh, however, was truly extraordinary: lean, incredibly flaky, rich, and wonderfully buttery, without any watery residue or fat leaching into the other ingredients. This wasn’t merely “fish”; it was an entirely new, elevated seafood dining experience. My experience unequivocally confirmed Sitka Salmon Shares’ assertion: you truly cannot achieve a fresher-tasting fish.

Following this initial, amazing culinary adventure, my excitement only grew at the prospect of working with SSS’s Wild Alaskan Pacific cod. Its delicate, mild white flesh lends itself beautifully to a diverse range of dishes, from hearty stews and comforting soups to flavorful fish cakes and patties. The versatility of this cod promised even more delightful creations.

What a truly magnificent piece of lean, pristine meat!

To evoke cherished memories, I decided to prepare the cod in a significantly refined version of a fish salad my mother frequently made during my childhood. Her original recipe was delightfully simple: potatoes, diced onion, and smoked herring, often sourced from the very pungent fish market I described earlier. I still hold a deep affection for that dish – partly because it serves as a poignant reminder of the resourcefulness required to secure food in my youth, partly due to its straightforward preparation, and primarily because its minimalist flavor profile beautifully amplifies the authentic, clean, and utterly fabulous taste of wild cod. It was the perfect canvas to showcase Sitka Salmon Shares’ exceptional quality.

I began by oven-roasting an assortment of colorful, bite-sized potatoes, seasoning them simply to allow their natural sweetness to emerge.

Next, I swiftly pan-fried the cod in butter, turning it just once to achieve a perfect golden crust and tender interior. After allowing it to cool slightly, I gently flaked the fish into inviting chunks. These were then combined in a salad bowl with the roasted potatoes, fresh green onion, and a vibrant dill vinaigrette, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. While some chefs shy away from dill, fearing it can be overpowering, I’ve always found its fresh, herbaceous notes to be incredibly complementary. In this instance, the dill infused the salad with an amazing level of freshness and a playful zest, making the naturally sweet cod flesh spirited and exuberant – a reflection of its vibrant life in the pristine Alaskan waters.

This salad truly exemplifies deliciousness – incredibly quick and easy to prepare, deeply satisfying, and most importantly, it respectfully highlights the cod’s clean, lean, and utterly delicious natural flavor.

My culinary journey with Sitka Salmon Shares’ fish has been an utterly amazing experience. I am genuinely overjoyed to have had the opportunity to taste such exceptionally high-quality seafood. The fish I sampled possessed an unbelievably fresh and authentic flavor, a clear testament to the SSS fishermen’s profound passion for nature, their unwavering commitment to sustainability, and their dedication to a job meticulously and mindfully done. Moving forward, I will undoubtedly be a loyal customer of SSS fish, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to discover this unparalleled quality for yourself. Join the Sitka Salmon Shares community today and receive $25 off one of their expertly curated Shares – simply use the code CLP at checkout! Please note that this special offer expires on December 31, 2021.

Happy and sustainable fish eating, everyone!

Disclaimer: While I received complimentary products to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.