Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by Alaska Native Eva Burke, a passionate force in the world of salmon conservation, serving as an Advisory Board Member at Native Movement, Owner of Rock Crossing Consulting and Graduate Student at University of Alaska Fairbanks. She currently serves as the first Tribal Seat on the Advisory Panel to the NPFMC and work as a consultant to the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission… And she’s been shut down for 5 years. Zero salmon fishing.

Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by Alexus Kwachka, a 39-year veteran of catching ‘everything that swims, walks or crawls from the Russian border to Southeast Alaska’. In this episode, Cody and Alexus dive deep into this long career as a commercial fisherman, with experience with every species. gear type and fishery - from trawling around Kodiak to long lining in southeast, to trolling for salmon, and beyond.

Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by Tim Bristol, the CEO of Salmon State. In this episode, Cody and Tim dive deep into the challenges and importance of salmon conservation in Alaska. While concerns loom over the declining Chinook salmon populations, we also celebrate the success stories of strong coho and sockeye runs in Southeast Alaska and Bristol Bay.

Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by Laine Welch, a longtime pro-commercial fisheries reporter and advocate, retired radio host, and the blogger behind AlaskaFish.News - which covers happenings in Alaska’s fisheries all across the state, who is choosing to speak out now after a career in and around the commercial fleet (including trawl) because, in her own words, ‘she could no longer stand by’. The conversation focuses on the declining salmon populations in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, which is a significant conservation issue. Laine and Cody discuss the cultural and economic importance of salmon to the region, as well as the various factors contributing to their decline, such as trawling, ocean warming, and competition from hatchery fish. They also highlight the lack of effective fisheries management and the influence of outside interests on Alaskan fisheries. The conversation raises concerns about the future of salmon and other fish species and the potential loss of cultural traditions and economic opportunities. The conversation explores the long-term ramifications of the decline in salmon and halibut populations in Alaska due to increased bycatch by the trawl fleet. The warming oceans and off-kilter ocean chemistry are affecting the entire food web, including species like pollock, herring, and black cod. The conversation highlights the need for better bycatch regulations and the inclusion of traditional knowledge from Alaska Native communities. Key policy decisions to protect salmon in perpetuity include setting limits on salmon removal by the trawl fleet, ending bottom trawling in sensitive areas, and reevaluating definitions and regulations related to midwater trawls. It is crucial for individuals to voice their concerns at the federal level to bring about change.

Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by David Bayes, a halibut charter boat captain our of Homer, Alaska and one of the men behind the wildly successful ‘STOP Alaskan Trawler Bycatch’ Facebook Group that is a leading voice on the effort to reign in trawler bycatch. David, a small business owner and advocate for sustainable fishing practices, discusses the issue of trawl bycatch in Alaska and its impact on the state's fisheries. He explains how trawl bycatch, particularly of halibut and salmon, has led to significant cutbacks in the sport fishing industry and threatens the overall health of the ecosystem. David highlights the economic disparity between the trawl fleet, which generates billions of dollars in revenue but pays minimal taxes to the state, and other fishing sectors. He also emphasizes the indiscriminate nature of trawl fishing and the staggering amount of bycatch that is wasted each year. The conversation focuses on the impact of trawl fishing on salmon populations in Alaska and the need for stricter regulations. The main themes include the controversy surrounding chum salmon bycatch, the influence of the trawl fleet on fisheries management, the fear of speaking out against trawl fishing, the spread of misinformation by astroturf organizations, and potential policy solutions to mitigate the problem.

Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by AJ Hoffman, owner of Three Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla, to discuss the impact of bycatch and other issues on troubled salmon runs in Alaska. They emphasize the impact on the local economy and the need to address the depleting salmon resource. The conversation covers various issues affecting salmon fishing in Alaska, including climate change, overharvesting, indiscriminate fishing methods, the warming ocean, and changing migration patterns. AJ is particularly concerned about overharvesting in the deep ocean and the use of indiscriminate fishing methods. He believes these issues require ongoing efforts to address and mitigate their impact. One theme is the impact of climate change on salmon populations, with declining populations observed across river systems. Another is the management of salmon fisheries, including overfishing and the need for sustainable practices. They also discuss the importance of international cooperation in managing salmon stocks that migrate across borders and the importance of salmon as a subsistence food source. The conversation covers two main themes: the economic impact of fishing and the subsistence side of fishing. The economic impact includes industries such as tourism and commercial fishing, while the subsistence side focuses on the reliance of native villages and working class Alaskans on fishing for food and resources. Cody highlights the role of local tackle shops in providing guidance and being stewards of the resource. The disappearance of these fish also leads to a loss of cultural engagement and connection with the resource, highlighting the importance of preserving the fish population for the cultural heritage of Alaska.

Salmon Wars Executive Producer and Host Cody McLaughlin is joined by Tim Bristol, Jon Warrenchuk, a fisheries biologist from Oceana, to discuss the science behind the declining salmon stocks in the Pacific Northwest. They explore the interdependence of salmon and other species in the ecosystem, the effects of overfishing and bycatch, and the challenges of managing salmon populations. They also touch on the historical decline of Chinook salmon and the impact of industrial trawling. The conversation highlights the need for conservation efforts and sustainable management practices to protect salmon and their habitats. The conversation explores the impact of trawl nets on Chinook salmon populations in Alaska and the need for better management and conservation efforts. It discusses the challenges of food security in remote areas and the importance of protecting salmon habitat. The guest suggests several policy points to address the salmon crisis, including spatial management, better monitoring of bycatch, and prioritizing the growth of wild salmon in the Bering Sea. Other factors contributing to the decline of salmon populations, such as diseases and fish farming, are also mentioned. The conversation emphasizes the value of salmon as an economic and ecological resource and encourages consumers to make informed choices and support sustainable fishing practices.

Salmon Wars host Cody McLaughlin is joined by David Bayes, the Bains behind the truly ‘David and Goliath’ effort that is the ‘Alaskan Sop Trawler Bycatch’ Facebook Group, which boasts 36,000 members and growing from across the nation - who in his private life is a former biology teacher and longtime charter fleet captain and sport fishing advocate for this NEW TRAILER DROP for the upcoming Salmon Wars podcast! David breaks down where EXACTLY the millions of pounds of harvested pollock go, addresses the talking point that pollock is ‘sustainable and feeds the nation’ and reveals the SHOCKING TRUTH of what the numbers say about sacrificing salmon to buy back our own fish from China.

NEW TRAILER DROP >> Salmon Wars host Cody McLaughlin is joined by Laine Welch, a longtime pro-commercial fisheries reporter and advocate, retired radio host, and the blogger behind AlaskaFish.News for this NEW TRAILER DROP for the upcoming Salmon Wars podcast! Laine spends significant time sharing her perspectives on bycatch, hatcheries and climate change and how those factors are affecting Salmon runs across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska - gleaned from a career spent providing in-depth coverage of Alaska's fisheries.

We talk a lot about bycatch in the series. Ever wondered what happens to fish caught as bycatch in a trawl net? Do they get sent to restaurants? Fed to the homeless and food insecure of Alaska? Shoveled over the side like trash? The answer may surprise you in this sneak peak from the upcoming Salmon Wars podcast series.

"Welcome to 'Salmon Wars,' a compelling podcast hosted by Cody McLaughlin, an avid salmon fisherman in Alaska's Last Frontier. Join us as we investigate the critical issue of declining salmon returns in the Pacific Northwest. Our expert interviews with biologists, fishermen, advocates, native leaders, politicians, and stakeholders delve into the pressing challenges facing salmon conservation today.