Alaska celebrates first annual Wild Salmon Day with public salmon bake in Anchorage

Alaska's wild salmon are in the spotlight Wednesday as the state celebrates its first ever Alaska Wild Salmon Day.

Proclaimed by Alaska Governor Bill Walker with the siging of House Bill 128, August 10 honors Alaska salmon as "the quintessential taste of summer and the gold standard of salmon," according to a news release from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI.)

To participate in Alaska Wild Salmon Day, salmon lovers are encouraged to share photos of wild Alaska salmon on social media with the hashtag #AskForAlaska.

Bristol Bay Native Corporation is marking the day with a public salmon bake in Anchorage from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot at 16th Avenue and C Street. The event is open to the public and will feature fresh Alaskan wild Bristol Bay salmon, guest speakers, and live entertainment. The corporation is also supporting partner events in Dillingham, Naknek, New Stuyahok, Nondalton, and Togiak on Wednesday.

“Bristol Bay Native Corporation is excited to celebrate Alaska wild salmon, which has played an essential role in the economic and cultural wellbeing of the people of Bristol Bay for thousands of years,” said Jason Metrokin, president and CEO of BBNC.

Salmon fans in Seattle, Anchorage and Juneau can also celebrate Alaska Wild Salmon Day through the use of a special Snapchat geofilter, which will be active throughout the day and available within the Snapchat mobile app, according to ASMI.

"Alaska is home to some of the healthiest stocks of wild salmon in the world and as Alaskans, we take great pride in making sure our pristine waters continue to provide the best tasting, highest quality salmon for generations to come," said ASMI communications Director Tyson Fick.

"We're excited to have an official holiday to recognize our heritage and the chance to share it with the world through the hashtag #AskforAlaska."

ASMI is a partnership of the state of Alaska and the Alaska seafood industry to promote the benefits of wild Alaska seafood and offer seafood industry education.