The Anchorage Museum presents Sailing for Salmon The Early Years of Commercial Fishing in Alaska’s Bristol Bay on view through Oct. 2, 2011.
Through historical photographs and eyewitness recollections, this exhibition unravels the history of one of the world’s great fisheries. More than half the planet’s sockeye salmon return to the bay annually. In 1884, commercial fishing began in Bristol Bay. Over the next 125 years, more than 50 industrial cannery complexes came to dominate the area’s remote shorelines and wild rivers.
Government regulation prohibited fishing from motorized boats until the 1950s. Instead, fishermen used Bristol Bay double-enders, well-crafted and picturesque sailboats. These boats were challenging to operate and considered out-of-date after motorized boats became popular in the 1920s.
“I look back on the sailboats as foolish, hateful and dangerous, romantic and beautiful,” said Al Andree, who fished Bristol Bay under sail. “Nothing will ever compare with the lovely sight of those great-winged, graceful boats scudding with the wind across Bristol Bay.”
“Sailing for Salmon” was curated by Tim Troll and John Branson for the PrattMuseum, Homer. The AnchorageMuseum has enhanced the exhibition with images from its photography archives.
The AnchorageMuseum is the largest museum in Alaska and one of the top 10 most visited attractions in the state. The museum’s mission is to share and connect Alaska with the world through art, history and science. General admission is $12 adult, $9 senior/student/military, $7 ages 3 to 12, free ages 2 and younger. Learn more online at www.anchoragemuseum.org