Growing up in Togiak and throughout the Bristol Bay region, the joy of catching our subsistence run of king salmon was a cherished tradition. Our natural way of life thrived on the bounty of marine life that the bay blessed us with. Families relied on the abundance of king salmon, and it was more than a meal—it was a way of life passed down through generations.

The Togiak Bay area and Bristol Bay area region, once teeming with a diverse range of fish species, has witnessed a heartbreaking decline in king salmon and other vital marine life mostly directed to our king salmon harvest. This decline is strikingly correlated with the increase of bottom trawling activities, a fishing method that is devastating our underwater ecosystem.

Bottom trawling involves dragging heavy nets across the sea floor, indiscriminately capturing fish and damaging the ocean bed. This practice has been known to destroy habitats, disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems. Not only does it harm fish populations, but it also affects the entire food chain, having a domino effect on marine animals and the people who depend on them.

Currently, Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and local regulatory bodies have the power to make substantial changes. Restricting bottom trawling in Togiak Bay can foster the recovery of our marine ecosystems. Scientific research supports the need for urgent action; studies show that bans or restrictions on trawling can lead to significant recoveries of fish populations and biodiversity.

As stewards of our environment, it's imperative that we create a sustainable fishing model that respects the natural world, ensuring that future generations will also experience the richness of our bay. By protecting Togiak Bay this also applies to the entire bristol bay area for our king salmon harvest from further bottom trawling, we secure a legacy of abundant wildlife and preserve our cultural heritage.

Please join us in urging local authorities to implement strict regulations against bottom trawling in Togiak Bay and throughout our Bristol Bay area. Your signature will help safeguard our ecosystem, our traditions, and our future. Sign the petition now to protect what is invaluable to Togiak and our Bristol Bay area for the upcoming generations of our people.

This is to protect and grow our king salmon that can be heavily endangered because of bottom trawling.