Update for March 13
On March 11 locals gathered at Beveridge Place Pub to raise money for Trout Unlimited's fight against a mining corporation's plan to turn Bristol Bay, the world's most productive sockeye fishery, into a hard rock mine.

$4,000 dollars were raised during the event. Here is what organizer Brian Cole had to say:

"The event was a great success, raising over $4000 and public awareness for the 'Save Brystol Bay' campaign. Besides the silent auction, raffle and beer sales, individual donations and a letter writing campaign took place.

It wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of local businesses and all the great people that attended. I would especailly like to recognize the support of Hajime Sato, of Mashiko for providing abundant smoked salmon sushi rolls, and The Seattle Fish Company for providing smoked salmon, and sliders, prepared by employee Aaron. And of course the event would never have taken place without the support and hospitality of Gary and Terry, owners of Beveridge Place Pub, where the event was held."

Original post on March 7
Interested in helping Trout Unlimited raise funds to combat a mining corporation's plan to turn the world’s most productive sockeye fishery (located in Alaska) into a hard rock mine in search of gold and copper?

Brian Cole, 20-year West Seattle local, avid fisherman and champion of Bristol Bay’s sustainable future, provides that opportunity this weekend.

SAVE BRISTOL BAY FUNDRAISER!
Where: Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California Ave S.W.)
When: 2-5 p.m., March 11
What: Raffle, silent auction, smoked salmon (50 pounds donated by West Seattle’s own Seattle Fish Company), beer and a Trout Unlimited representative on hand to explain the situation at Bristol Bay

Join us for a outdoor-themed silent auction to support Trout Unlimited in their efforts to protect Bristol Bay salmon habitat. As wild salmon disappear around the globe, Bristol Bay, Alaska continues to produce the world’s largest sockeye salmon fisheries and one of the largest king salmon runs. The reason for this is clear; the Bay’s freshwater salmon habitat is largely untouched by development. However, the bay is under threat from foreign mining corporations that want to turn the watershed into an industrial mining district. North America’s largest open-pit mine is proposed for an area that straddles two of the bay’s most important salmon streams. If plans for the Pebble Mine are allowed to proceed, they risk destroying a $360 million commercial and sport salmon fishery that celebrated its 125th year in 2009.

Brian has pulled together support and generous donations from such West Seattle businesses as Seattle Fish Company, Elliott Bay Brewing, Mashiko, Abbondanza, and, of course, the Beveridge Place Pub. Other Seattle and international businesses have thrown in as well: Filson, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Ex Officio, Georgetown Brewery, Avid Angler, Ray's Boathouse, to name a few.

The Herald spoke with organizer Brian Cole for a bit more background on Bristol Bay:

Cole said the mining corporations interested in turning Bristol Bay into “Pebble Mine” have spent millions in a massive public relations campaign to sell Alaskans on the benefits … primarily jobs. The situation is coming to a head in 2012 with the mining corporations expected to file their official request to build the mine around the end of the year. The EPA’s assessment of the mine’s impact is scheduled to be released around the same time.

“The Bristol Bay fishery produces over 5,000 jobs and it’s a renewable resource … as long as it’s not messed up,” Cole said. “The mine talks about these jobs, well those are going to be temporary and then if you look at the history of all the hard rock mining – the EPA says it is the most environmentally destructive practice on the planet.”

So how does the health of Bristol Bay affect Seattleites?

“The biggest thing that we would see if that fishery comes to an end is a large percentage of the Salmon we enjoy eating down here … comes from Bristol Bay,” he said. “Any wild salmon on the dinner table would get really expensive.”

Additionally, Cole said many local fishermen make the journey to Bristol Bay yearly for Sockeye and King salmon.

“It brings millions of dollars to Seattle directly,” he said.

For more information on Bristol Bay and this weekend’s event:
http://www.beveridgeplacepub.com/events/
http://www.savebristolbay.org/