Not all of us have time to drive to Chitina for the weekend in hopes of catching salmon to fill our freezer. There is, however, another way to make sure fresh salmon is on hand.

For the first time, the Alaska Marine Conservation Council is expanding its Catch of the Season program to Fairbanks.

Catch of the Season is a community-supported fishery (CSF) that allows Interior Alaskans to buy shares of sockeye salmon from Bristol Bay. It’s a one-time delivery offer for this summer if you order by June 24 for delivery July 1 or 2.

“There is a lot of demand for seafood in general but definitely for salmon, said Samantha Baker of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.

Last summer, the council launched the program in Anchorage, and according to Baker, “It went gangbusters.

“We sold a lot more than we had planned on, she said. “I think it was well over 2,500 pounds.

Earlier seasons also were successful and included rock fish from Kodiak, sold in both Anchorage and Homer. Last November and December, the council also offered Norton Sound king crab shares.

She said they’re excited to now expand to Fairbanks.

“It’s exciting for us to connect with new people, she said.

Here’s how it works. You can order 10, 25 or 50 pounds of sockeye salmon. The catch comes from small boat fishermen who live and work in communities like Naknek, Kodiak and Nome. According to the council, these are independent family fishermen who “work to meet the highest conservation and handling standards in order to provide exceptional seafood.

In return, they earn a higher price for their catch through this program, a boon to both their profit margin and to their communities. Cost is $130 for 10 pounds ($13 per pound); $300 for 25 pounds ($12 per pound) or $500 for 50 pounds ($10 per pound). The salmon is caught, processed, vacuum packed and flash-frozen. Then, it is shipped to Fairbanks. Other communities participating in the program include Anchorage and Homer. It arrives with a written description of when and where the salmon was caught, including details of the fishermen who caught it. The buyer also receives recipes and tips for preparing it.

“It’s a better connection of where the seafood is coming from and who caught it, Baker said.

But unlike CSA produce deliveries, which are usually weekly, this is a one-time delivery.

“You fill your freezer for one year, she said.

The program supports sustainable fishing practices, pays fishermen more for their catch and also supports the council’s work as a nonprofit organization, working on marine and fisheries conservation and economic development in coastal communities, she added.

The official page with ordering information can be found at www.akmarine.org/working-waterfronts/catch-of-the-season.

The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) was founded in 1994. It’s a community-based, nonprofit organization committed to protecting the long-term health of Alaska’s marine ecosystems and sustaining the working waterfronts of Alaska’s coastal communities. Members include fishermen, subsistence harvesters, marine scientists, business owners, conservationists, families and others who care deeply about Alaska’s oceans. You can find more at www.akmarine.org.

2015, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, AK.