GAPP Unveils Wild Alaska Pollock Mural at Pier 91

After nearly nine months of work, a sure-to-be Seattle “must see” landmark and newest addition to the Seattle art scene that celebrates Wild Alaska Pollock was officially opened at Seattle’s iconic Pier 91, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today. GAPP, along with Glacier Fish Company, the Port of Seattle and mural artist Kyler Martz officially christened the colorful 100-foot mural at an industry party yesterday, attended by many of the crew preparing to head back out for Wild Alaska Pollock “B” season in the coming month.

“The piece, titled ‘Heritage’ by the artist Kyler Martz, utilizes the rich colors seen on cans of seafood from the Pacific Northwest’s rich seafood industry past and that is the lineage that supports the strong Wild Alaska Pollock industry we have today,” said Craig Morris, GAPP CEO, in remarks to nearly 200 people in attendance at the ceremony. “This beautiful new mural is at home in Seattle where much of the Wild Alaska Pollock industry is based and is a fitting tribute to the men and women who work in support of the Wild Alaska Pollock fishery every day and who bring this amazingly versatile, nutritious and sustainable fish to global consumers.”

GAPP worked with the Seattle-based brand strategy firm the Garrigan Lyman Group (GLG) to identify artist Kyler Martz who spent months workshopping the piece which adorns an entire side of the building on Pier 91 that is the global headquarters of GAPP member company and Wild Alaska Pollock harvest and processor the Glacier Fish Company. Martz is a well-known artist and tattoo artist from the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard, but this is by far the largest mural he has ever been commissioned to complete.

The art concept of the mural simultaneously harkening back to the colorful cans of seafood from Seattle's rich seafood industry's past while at the same time showcasing the rich key elements of the Wild Alaska Pollock fishing process including the wild and natural beauty of where the fish are harvested in Alaska and natural tendency of Wild Alaska Pollock to “school” making them more sustainable to catch and reducing the incidental catch of other species. The fence adjoining the building also shares the attributes of the fish and fishery and will be seen by both Seattleites as well as the millions of visitors to Pier 91 each year—including the many cruise-goers who embark from Pier 91 for cruises to Alasaka where the Wild Alaska Pollock is sourced.

“We were honored to provide this canvas on behalf of the entire industry to showcase the amazing Wild Alaska Pollock that we all harvest and are honored to be the stewards of this amazing new landmark,” said Jim Johnson, CEO of Glacier Fish and GAPP Board Member.

“This mural will be seen by nearly one million cruise-goers every year as they depart for their ‘bucket list’ trip to see the beauty of Alaska out of this very port at Pier 91 and that’s incredibly exciting,” said Kelli Goodwin, Maritime Operations Senior Manager with the Port of Seattle at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The story of Wild Alaska Pollock is tied to Seattle as the fishing fleet that harvests this incredible fish calls the community in the Pacific Northwest home and provides jobs for thousands of people harvesting a sustainable and abundant natural resource that feeds millions of hungry consumers around the world every day.

“I think this mural will stick with people as they pass it and will prompt them to learn more about the fish they more than likely have already had and love but maybe don’t know by name,” said Morris. “With this mural we’ve definitely made our mark loud and proud on the Seattle skyline indefinitely. Many Seattleites and visitors probably didn’t know that Wild Alaska Pollock has such strong ties to Seattle. But, now everyone can join us in celebrating the name and what our fish both brings to the tables of consumers around the world and means to the local economy.”