In October, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Chief Brian Ridley addressed the Eastern Interior Regional Advisory Council (EIRAC), highlighting the severe consequences of the ongoing salmon crisis on Alaska Native communities. Salmon, which has historically accounted for more than 50% of the subsistence harvest for TCC member Tribes, has become scarce, leading to alarming health impacts.
Chief Ridley emphasized that the decline in salmon stocks over the last decade has directly contributed to a significant rise in food insecurity, which in turn has affected the health of Alaska Native people. Since 2019, TCC has seen a 24.6% increase in diabetes and a staggering 70% increase in pre-diabetes among its beneficiaries. These troubling numbers reflect the loss of salmon in local diets, which previously provided essential nutrients that supported the health of individuals living in remote areas.
Chum salmon, in particular, was highlighted as a critical food source, being rich in protein, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential minerals like potassium and phosphorus. This nutritional profile makes salmon invaluable, especially in Alaska’s harsh environments where access to store-bought food is limited and often prohibitively expensive. With the loss of salmon, Alaska Native communities are forced to turn to less nutritious alternatives, contributing to rising rates of lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Chief Ridley presented several key requests to the EIRAC, aimed at improving salmon management and reducing bycatch:
- Achievable, trackable actions on salmon management at the Regional Advisory Council level, such as the proposal for a conservation corridor.
- A letter to the State Board of Fish urging similar action on bycatch reduction in area M.
- A letter to the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council calling for immediate measures to reduce bycatch.
- Inclusion of trespass education and Native Allotments on all hunting maps as part of the Hunter Ethics Education & Outreach Initiative Working Group.
As the salmon crisis continues to affect both the environment and the health of Alaska Native communities, TCC is committed to working alongside partners and regulatory bodies to protect this vital resource for future generations.