October Marks Alaska Wild Salmon Month in D.C.

Chef Todd Gray of Equinox Restaurant

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.

 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.

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.  Learn more at www.savebristolbay.org