Current Issue / DU Alumni

MBA grad Luke Wiedel starts sustainable fishing company in Alaska

Luke Wiedel is the founder of Fera Alaskan Seafood LLC. Photo courtesy of Luke Weidel

Luke Wiedel started fishing at the age of 2 and even has photos of himself in diapers holding a fishing pole. His love for fishing, fascination with the environment and curiosity about the Alaskan wilderness and the Pacific Ocean led him to start his own company, Fera Alaskan Seafood LLC, this year.

Wiedel (BA philosophy ’06, MBA ’06) traveled to Alaska after finishing his undergraduate work to learn about oceans, wild fish stocks and the economic challenges of the Alaskan seafood industry. It wasn’t long before he bought his own troll permits, leased a boat and began running his own commercial salmon fishing operation in an effort to provide Colorado with wild seafood while promoting sustainability and environmental and individual health.

After working in the “hook and line” Alaskan salmon fishing industry, Wiedel says, “I realized that 70 percent of our wild fish stocks are over-fished. Fish farming operations devastate ocean environments, human health and human communities.”

Wiedel catches, markets and sells only those fish species labeled as “sustainable.” The fish species he sells remain plentiful in wild populations and are caught using responsible fishing methods.

“The products I don’t catch myself, I buy from fishermen with whom I work side-by-side,” Wiedel says.

He sells his products at Colorado farmers markets, through his Web site and via his popular home delivery service.

“People love my products and they appreciate supporting a responsible company,” Wiedel says.

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