What does Patagonia know about the fish business?

Maybe just enough to change it for the better.

Have A Snack, Save A Species

"For the same reasons I'm in the clothing business, I wanted to get in the food business," Chouinard says, "which is basically to change the way things are done.

“Have A Snack, Save A Species” - Read the essay by Yvon Chouinard

For decades Patagonia has given millions in financial support to advocacy groups fighting for endangered fish and their habitat. Now, through the Patagonia Provisions Salmon Project, Patagonia is hoping to change the fishing industry.

From the Patagonia website:

Working with Skeena Wild, a Canadian fish conservation organization, we’ve identified sustainable, in-river fisheries that use tangle-tooth nets, beach seines and traditional First Nations fish wheels and dip nets. These selective-harvest techniques produce higher quality fish and, most importantly, allow non-target species to survive and spawn. Our sourcing process has also made Patagonia Provisions the first fish-industry business working in active partnership with conservation NGOs.

Our state-of-the-art fish processing plant in Northern British Columbia provides local employment and keeps the “value” in “value-added products” within the community. The all-metal, fully recyclable facility runs under spotless health standards and has achieved the top ISO 22000 certification. We are now working toward a zero-waste operation with complete repurposing of all fish byproducts.

Learn more about Patagonia Provisions™ Wild Salmon Jerky

NPR's food blog The Salt has picked up the story.