Our Story

Founded on decades of expertise, Bristol Wave Seafoods is the leader in Alaskan longline cod fishing. Our story is one of three companies—Blue North Fisheries, Alaska Frontier Company, and Clipper Seafoods—coming together to create a sustainable and innovative future for the industry.

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1987
1987
BWS legacy company Clipper Seafoods, Ltd (CSL) is founded, with F/V Clipper Surprise as the company’s first and sole fishing vessel starting in 1988.
1988
1988
BWS legacy company Alaska Frontier Company (AFCO) is founded, beginning construction on three purpose-built longliners at Marco Seattle.
1989
1989 1989 1989
BWS legacy company Blue North Fisheries (BNF) is founded.
AFCO completes construction on its first longliner, F/V Frontier Spirit.
CSL acquires their second longliner – F/V Clipper Endeavor.
1990
1990
AFCO completes construction on its second longliner, F/V Frontier Mariner.
1991
1991 1991
BNF purchases the F/V Blue Pacific and converts it to longline operations.
AFCO completes construction on its third and final longliner, F/V Frontier Explorer.
1994
1994
CSL acquires its third and largest vessel, F/V Clipper Epic.
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1995
1995
BNF acquires the original F/V Blue North and converts it for longline operations.
1997
1997
CSL acquires its fourth vessel, F/V Clipper Express.
2000
2000
BNF acquires the F/V Blue Gadus and converts it for longline operations.
2001
2001
BNF acquires the F/V Blue Ace and converts it for longline operations.
2008
2008 AFCO and Clipper
Merge - 2008
BNF acquires the F/V Blue Ballard and converts it for longline operations.
AFCO and Clipper
Merge - 2008
CSL purchases AFCO, expanding to 7 factory longliners. Frontier vessels retain names and crew.
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2010
2010
Coinciding with the formation of the Freezer Longline Coalition, the Alaska cod hook-and-line fishery in the Bering Sea / Aleutian Islands region is rationalized, moving from a “race to fish” system to a quota allocation system. This change results in lower bycatch, increased sustainability, and improved safety for the industry.
2015
2015
Blue North and
Clipper Merge
BNF completes F/V Blue North, the most technologically advanced longliner in the US.
Blue North and
Clipper Merge
2019
2019
BNF and CSL merge to form Bristol Wave Seafoods (BWS), the largest longline cod company in the United States.  Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), an Alaska Native owned company, purchases a 75% controlling interest in BWS, returning primary ownership of 37% of Alaska’s longline cod quota to native Alaskans.Over 12,000 BBNC shareholders will now benefit from the sustainable, industry leading fishing practices synonymous with BWS.
2022
2022
Joel Peterson takes over as President of Bristol Wave Seafoods. Scott Penny joins the executive team as VP of Operations.Jake Stoopes joins the executive team as VP of Human Resources.
2023
2023
Joel Peterson takes over as CEO. Brody Pierson joins the executive team as Director of Sales & Logistics.
2024
2024
Michael Guy joins the executive team as CFO.
Today
2025
BWS continues to operate vessels from BNF, CSL, and AFCO, honoring the legacy of hard work and innovation that led BWS to its pivotal role in the Alaska Fishing Industry. As a subsidiary of BBNC, we operate with the values of the Alutiiq, Dena’ina and Yup’ik people of Bristol Bay – with a deep reverence for the land and waters in which we work.

Bristol Wave Executive Team

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Joel

President & CEO

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Scott Penny

VP Operations

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Michael Guy

Chief Financial Officer

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 Jake Stoopes

VP Human Resources

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 Brody Pierson

Director of Sales & Logistics

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