The Arctic

Deep in our nation’s Northwest corner is “America’s fish basket,” so named because nearly half of the seafood from the United States is harvested there. Most of our country’s wild sockeye salmon, Pollock and red king crab come from this region. The value of this vast body of water – Alaska’s Bristol Bay – is enormous.

• Economic benefits: Bristol Bay’s fisheries provide thousands of jobs to fishermen and others nationwide. Also, it is estimated that the fisheries could generate almost $215 billion over 40 years. This is far more than the federal government’s estimate of $7.7 billion in oil and gas revenue from the region that could be generated during the same time period.
• Environmental benefits: Bristol Bay is vital habitat for nearly two dozen types of marine mammals – including the endangered North Pacific right whales, Steller sea lions, Pacific walrus and sea lions – as well as one of the world's largest concentrations of seabirds.
• Cultural benefits: For many Native Americans living in Alaska, Bristol Bay’s fish, wildlife and plants are a significant part of their culture and a primary source of sustenance. Fish from the bay, for example, often makes up more than half of their diet.

What WWF is doing in Bristol Bay
One of WWF’s highest priorities is permanent protection of Bristol Bay from offshore oil and gas production. Without permanent protection, the region is subject to a trail of destruction, as damaging impacts from this type of production begins with seismic surveys and lingers long after the last barrels of oil and gas are shipped away.

Working with the Fish Basket Coalition, WWF encourages federal government officials to permanently protect Bristol Bay. The coalition scored a major achievement in 2010 when the Obama Administration removed the Bay from the nation’s 2012-2017 oil and gas leasing plan.  But long-term protection is far from assured.  The region’s history makes it safe to assume that the push to drill will continue unless a lasting solution is put in place.

Learn more about Bristol Bay  

• Oil & Gas Development in Bristol Bay: High Risk Low Return (PDF)
• Conservation Concerns for Cetaceans in the Bering Sea and Adjacent Waters: Offshore Oil Development and other Threats
• Fish Basket Coalition