Eric Regnart | Alaska King Salmon Crisis & Pollock Bycatch Solutions | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 771

Eric Regnart is the executive director of the board at Golden Alaska, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring wild king salmon populations in Alaska. In this episode, Eric breaks down the Alaska king salmon crisis, which has seen Yukon River king salmon populations decline by 80% over the last few decades. He reveals the specific role the pollock fishery plays in this decline, the international scope of the problem stretching from Canada to Russia, and the controversial bycatch cap policy that the fishing industry is fighting against. If you care about conservation, fisheries management, or the future of Alaska's legendary king salmon runs, this conversation will give you insights you won't find anywhere else.

The Scope of the Crisis: From Alaska to Russia

When Eric describes the Alaska king salmon crisis, he makes one thing clear: this isn't just a local problem. The Yukon River's 80% population decline over recent decades is the most famous example, but the same pattern is repeating across the entire circumpolar region. Canada is seeing identical declines in their Yukon River king salmon populations. Even Russia's Amur River is experiencing significant population crashes. This is a crisis that crosses international borders, and Eric explains why that makes solving it both more urgent and more complex. The fact that multiple countries are facing the same issue simultaneously points to causes that go far beyond any single policy or local factor.

The Pollock Fishery's Role in Bycatch

One of the most controversial aspects of the king salmon crisis is the role of the commercial pollock fishery. Eric reveals that the pollock fishery is one of the largest commercial fisheries in the United States, operating primarily in the Bering Sea. While these vessels are targeting pollock, they're catching tens of thousands of king salmon every year as bycatch—fish that are then discarded and die. The numbers Eric cites are staggering: hundreds of thousands of king salmon are caught and discarded annually. What makes this particularly frustrating for conservationists is that Endangered Species Act protections don't apply to the pollock fishery in the same way they do to other fisheries. Eric explains why this loophole exists and what Golden Alaska is doing to close it starting at 5:55.

The Policy Fight: Why a Bycatch Cap is So Controversial

Golden Alaska is pushing for a hard cap on the number of king salmon that can be caught as bycatch in the pollock fishery. If that cap is exceeded, the fishery would have to shut down. It sounds straightforward, but Eric reveals why the fishing industry is fighting this proposal so hard. The industry argues that implementing a bycatch cap would be costly and reduce profits. But Eric has seen this resistance before in other fisheries, and he's watched those industries adapt and find solutions. The tension between conservation and commerce is real, and Eric doesn't shy away from it. The details of the bycatch cap proposal and industry pushback start at 8:42.

What You Can Do: Getting Involved in King Salmon Conservation

Eric is clear that this fight needs public support to succeed. Without it, the policy changes required to protect king salmon simply won't happen. He outlines three specific ways listeners can get involved: learning about the issue through Golden Alaska's website, reaching out to congressional representatives to support a bycatch cap in the pollock fishery, and supporting organizations working on king salmon conservation. Eric emphasizes that the bycatch cap will require congressional action, which means constituents need to make their voices heard. He also shares Golden Alaska's contact information for anyone who wants to engage directly. Eric's full call to action and how to reach Golden Alaska starts at 12:10.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This conversation with Eric Regnart opened my eyes to how complex fisheries conservation really is. When you hear that the Yukon River king salmon population has dropped 80% in just a few decades, it's shocking. But what Eric does so well is connect the dots between ocean conditions, commercial fishing practices, and the policy mechanisms that could actually make a difference.

The pollock fishery bycatch issue is something most people don't know about, but the numbers Eric shares are staggering. Hundreds of thousands of king salmon caught and discarded every year. And the fact that we have policy tools available—like the bycatch cap—but face industry resistance shows how difficult conservation work can be when economic interests are involved.

What gives me hope is Eric's emphasis on public engagement. This isn't a lost cause. There are real solutions on the table, and Golden Alaska is doing the hard work of advocacy, research, and habitat restoration. If you care about wild fish populations and the future of Alaska's fisheries, this episode is essential listening. Eric lays out exactly how you can get involved, and that's powerful. Listen to the whole thing.