Chef Sonya Cote, Fisher(wo)man Sarah, Chef Tim McDiarmid at the James Beard Foundation Chef Action Summit.
What Does It Mean to Be Mission-Driven?
When we say we’re a mission-driven small business, we mean that every decision we make goes beyond selling products—we deeply consider the social and environmental impacts of our actions. While our footprint may not be massive, we believe that small actions add up. We hold ourselves accountable, but more importantly, we want to provide you with seafood you can trust—produced in alignment with your values.
Copper River Fish Market's wild-caught Copper River Salmon is harvested aboard a family-owned small boat using minimal-impact gear, protecting the environment while delivering exceptional quality. By shipping directly to your door, we reduce the carbon footprint compared to seafood that often passes through a dozen or more transfer points before reaching your kitchen.
Our founder, Sarah—a fisher(wo)man and advocate—works tirelessly to safeguard the environment and support small fishing communities. Whether it’s Zoom meetings with Senators to amplify the voices of small-boat fishers across Alaska and the U.S. coastline or stepping up to support fishing communities in Washington, Texas, or Maine, we’re committed to helping independent fishers thrive. Together, we can protect one of the last food sources not dominated by corporate control and keep it in the hands of those who care for it most.
Federal Court Rules Against Industrial Fish Farms
After our involvement with numerous public awareness campaigns, a federal court in Washington ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of Nationwide Permit 56, allowing industrial fish farms in federal waters, was unlawful. The decision found violations of key environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and Rivers and Harbors Act. The court emphasized that the Corps failed to properly assess significant risks and impacts of large-scale aquaculture operations, deeming their findings insufficient. This ruling is a major win for ocean preservation and sustainable seafood systems. We champion this victory, envisioning seafood systems led by local communities over corporate-driven industrial aquaculture.
Production Halted of Genetically Engineered Salmon
We partnered with Slow Food USA to produce a short video highlighting the risks posed by AquaBounty. Their plans threatened not only the Ohio community whose aquifer they sought to exploit but also consumers, who could unknowingly end up eating genetically engineered (GMO) fish marketed simply as "salmon." It’s a bit like the difference between a fine, 24-month-aged cheddar and "pasteurized cheese product"—one is authentic, the other an imitation made with by-products, preservatives, and additives. Our goal was to shine a light on the importance of transparency and the value of real, sustainable food systems that protect both people and the environment.
AquaBounty Technologies, a biotech company known for producing genetically engineered (GE) AquAdvantage® salmon, has announced it will halt operations, cull remaining fish, and shut down its facilities in North America. The decision follows decades of legal challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and widespread consumer and market rejection. Environmental concerns were central to the opposition, with scientific evidence suggesting GE salmon posed significant risks to wild salmon populations, critical ecosystems, and Indigenous and fishing communities. Consumer advocacy groups and grassroots campaigns successfully pressured major retailers, food service companies, and restaurants to reject GE salmon, highlighting public concerns about environmental harm, health risks, and corporate control over food systems. The closure marks a major win for sustainable seafood advocates and communities reliant on wild salmon ecosystems.