Holland America introduces wild Alaska seafood dishes by Ethan Stowell

This took place at a Juneau event Wednesday inaugurating the line's ASMI partnership that commits to serving sustainably sourced Alaska seafood on all six HAL ships in Alaska this summer. ASMI is a public-private partnership between Alaska and the state's seafood industry established to foster economic development of this renewable natural resource.

The event was held at Twisted Fish Co. before moving aboard Nieuw Amsterdam for dinner in the Pinnacle Grill specialty restaurant. Besides Stowell, attendees included Dan Rough, VP revenue management, HAL and Alaska Travel Industry Association board member; ASMI Executive Director Jeremy Woodrow, Alaska Sen. Jesse Kiehl, Alaska Rep. Sara Hannan and Alaska commercial fishing representatives and local leaders.

'We’ve been sharing the thrill of Alaska with guests for 75 years, longer than any other cruise line,' Rough said. 'Protecting and enhancing that heritage is a matter of commitment and pride. The Alaska seafood industry’s long-standing commitment to wild seafood is very much in line with our own sustainability efforts, as well as our responsibility to the planet and its people.'

Cod sandwich, salmon chop, halibut

Stowell’s new creations will be featured in the dining room on the six Alaska ships. Choices include a fried Alaska cod sandwich with malt vinegar aioli and savoy cabbage slaw; Alaskan salmon chop with cucumber, tomato, avocado, bacon and green beans; and roasted fennel crusted Alaska halibut with artichokes and Taggiasca olives.

Holland America Line chefs prepare a number of Alaska seafood dishes each cruise

These are in addition to several Alaska seafood dishes already on menus throughout the ships.

Along with Stowell’s new recipes, future programming as part of HAL's 'Alaska Up Close' initiative will include other new recipes, destination and cooking demonstration videos and Alaska seafood trivia.

More than 5,000 pounds of wild Alaska seafood per cruise

HAL serves more than 5,000 pounds of wild Alaskan seafood per cruise, including more than 2,000 pounds of salmon, more than 1,000 pounds of cod, more than 800 pounds of halibut, more than 500 pounds of rockfish, 400 pounds of flounder, 200 pounds of black cod (also known as sablefish) and more than 400 pounds of pollock.