Industry Experts Collaborate to Test Next Generation of Salmon Excluder Devices

In April 2025, Alaska Pollock captains, crews, industry, and researchers gathered at the Marine Institute in Newfoundland to test salmon excluder devices – pollock net innovations designed to reduce salmon bycatch.

Erik Jensen, a third-generation fisherman and mate on the Alaskan Defender, shared his perspective:

“I’ve been commercial fishing my whole life. It’s in the blood. I’ve been on the boat 13 years, going on 14. Our team is here because of bycatch. We are out there trying to target the species that we want to target like pollock, as opposed to other fish.

So, any kind of advancements we can make to protect salmon and other fish and be more productive, that’s what we want to do to be successful. Seeing the nets here, seeing videos in action, watching salmon actually being able to swim out the net and that we're actually being productive with these things, these tools are awesome. This whole experience this week is to just allow us as fishermen to understand too, that what we're doing is making an impact.”

This hands-on collaboration is just one example of how Alaska pollock fishermen are leading efforts to make our fishery more selective, responsible, and effective for the long haul.

Thanks to Erik and the hard-working crews who make sure the Alaska Pollock fishery is harvested sustainably and responsibly for the next generation.

Watch Erik Jensen here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/157ZGpYDA2x/