By Clay Koplin and Jeremy O’Neil
For The Cordova Times
Valdez and Cordova are two cities geographically separated by the Chugach National Forest but connected by our waters and people. Our histories are woven together through our trials, teamwork, occasional rivalries, and – of course – salmon. As mayors of these communities, we look back on events like the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and Good Friday Earthquake that challenged us to innovate and adapt in order to survive, but it was through these tests that the resilience we lean on today was born. Today, our communities continue to come together to build up our economies and turn our fisheries into world-class harvesting opportunities for one of the most renowned protein sources on the planet: wild Alaskan salmon.
This summer marks an important milestone in the relationship between Cordova and Valdez: the 40 Year anniversary of the Valdez Fisheries Development Association. This hatchery, incorporated in 1980, is the result of dedicated individuals from both communities sharing knowledge and innovating for opportunities and progress in Area E fisheries. Today, the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) in Cordova and the Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) in Valdez attribute their achievements to what was only made possible by Alaskans who believed strong hatchery programs were possible in Prince William Sound. It’s fair to say that VFDA would not be what it is today without the help of Cordovans supporting the initial venture to start a hatchery in Valdez. And vice versa, the same is true of PWSAC and support from local leaders in Valdez.
In the beginning, VFDA worked with both the PWSAC leadership and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to see how a hatchery in Valdez could be viable. With help and advice from many Cordovans – as well as a healthy spirit of competition – the Solomon Gulch Hatchery in Valdez was built. VFDA was able to count on PWSAC support on the Regional Planning Team and learn from PWSAC fish culture and salmon rearing methods. Not everyone supported a hatchery in Valdez, but those who did shared a common vision of what it could do for both communities. Their premonitions of success are still proving true four decades later.
Today, these southcentral hatcheries are responsible for producing almost 900 million salmon annually, which return to account for almost 50 million salmon ready for harvesters to catch and sell to processors. This results in an annual ex-vessel value of approximately $65 million annually, supporting over 2,000 jobs directly and indirectly. In terms of meals, PWSAC and VFDA salmon caught in cost recovery result in millions of healthy protein meals for Alaskans and people all over the world. The processors, those that moved to Cordova and Valdez because of the dependable promise of fish each season, connect our communities to the global economy and continue to help our resources grow by supporting local businesses, schools, and public services.
Both communities should be proud of the hatchery programs they have built over the last 40 years. Developing successful salmon hatchery programs was not without setbacks, and our hatcheries – both nonprofits – persisted to better our communities and create a sustainable fishery for Alaskans. As we reflect on four decades of sustainable harvests in the Valdez Arm, we are filled with hope for what Valdez and Cordova can both overcome and accomplish in the future, together.
To learn more about VFDA’s 40th Anniversary online celebration, visit valdezfisheries.org/40th. To learn more about Alaska’s private non-profit salmon hatcheries, visit salmonhatcheriesforak.org.
Clay Koplin is mayor of Cordova and CEO of the Cordova Electric Cooperative. Jeremy O’Neil is mayor of Valdez and CEO of Providence Valdez Medical Center.
