Holland America, ASMI partner on Alaska seafood

Holland America Line is partnering with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) to highlight the cruise company’s use of Alaska seafood exclusively on all six ships serving the state.

The first formal collaboration of its kind between ASMI, a partnership between the state of Alaska and Alaska’s fishing industry, and a major cruise line, aims to highlight Holland America’s “leadership and commitment to sustainably sourced local seafood,” the company said in a press release.

Holland America Line purchases and serves more than 4,000 pounds of wild Alaska fish per cruise.

ASMI and Holland America Line will bring guests up close to the riches of Alaska's waterways and the stories of the people behind the fish, from fishermen and women to processors to chefs, the cruise company said.

Future programming initiatives include recipe development in concert with Holland America Line’s award-winning Culinary Council, a collection of elite, international celebrity chefs who bring global influence to dedicated dining experiences across its fleet, according to the cruise company.

It will also feature in-destination video content, onboard Alaska Seafood trivia, and recipes from Council Chef Ethan Stowell.

“We’re proud to partner with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in its quest to further protect and promote the state’s unmatched resource, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of the wild seafood available in the U.S.,” Holland America Senior Vice President of Guest Experience and Product Development Michael Smith said.

For its part, ASMI is “honored to partner with Holland America Line in Alaska given our shared commitment to sustainable seafood and supporting local Alaska communities,” ASMI Communications Director Ashley Heimbigner said.

“We are thrilled that visitors to Alaska will have the opportunity to enjoy and connect with what makes Alaska’s seafood so special while they are here, and hope they are inspired to look for Alaska seafood when they return home,” Heimbigner said.

The two organizations will inaugurate their partnership on 5 July when Stowell will join Alaska commercial fishers and local leaders in Juneau to demonstrate the depth and breadth of Alaska’s seafood bounty, including five species of salmon, several varieties of whitefish, and numerous types of crab and shellfish.

The event will be capped by a presentation of seafood cooking techniques led by Stowell.

Photo courtesy of Holland America