The Last Wild Salmon Sanctuary
A testament to nature’s brilliance, Bristol Bay is one of the last untamed sanctuaries where salmon thrive. SOURCE takes you deep inside its wild beauty, revealing how the most powerful way to preserve something is simply to let it be.
A documentary Film by Eric Overton
Watch the trailer
Keepers of the Wild
SOURCE delves into the story of one of the last undeveloped sanctuaries for wild salmon—Bristol Bay, Alaska. Through breathtaking visuals and immersive storytelling, the film follows commercial fishing skipper Nick Lee as he explores the fragile balance of this pristine ecosystem and the responsibility we all share in preserving it.
Nick Lee’s life has been shaped by the tides of Bristol Bay. Since he was a boy, he dreamed of these waters. Now a seasoned fisherman for over 40 years, he navigates the awe-inspiring beauty and relentless challenges of this untamed wilderness. In SOURCE, his voice emerges as both a steward of these waters and a philosopher of the wild—offering a deeply personal meditation on what it means to coexist with nature rather than dominate it
Nature’s Masterpiece, Under Threat
Bristol Bay is a sanctuary where wild salmon flourish in unparalleled abundance, underpinning a web of life that supports species from grizzlies to eagles. It is a place of staggering biodiversity and cultural resonance. Yet, this delicate balance faces existential threats from unchecked industrial development and the rising commodification of nature. Preserving Bristol Bay means safeguarding a legacy of ecological interdependence.
The Lifeblood of the Waters
Salmon are more than just a species in Bristol Bay—they are the circulatory system of its rivers. When salmon return to spawn, they transfer essential marine nutrients upstream, fertilizing aquatic plants and feeding river ecosystems. This influx of nutrients supports algae, insects, and smaller fish, creating a ripple effect that sustains life within the waters. By allowing this ancient migration to continue uninterrupted, the rivers thrive as arteries of biodiversity.
Feeding the Forest
When salmon complete their life cycle, their nutrient-rich bodies nourish the surrounding forests. Bears, eagles, and other predators carry salmon into the trees, spreading marine-derived nitrogen into the soil. This natural process feeds towering spruce and hemlocks, enriching the entire forest ecosystem. The connection between fish and forest is one of nature’s most profound relationships—one that remains intact only when left untouched.
A Web of Life
Bristol Bay’s ecosystem is a delicate web, with salmon at its center. These fish sustain countless species, from the smallest microorganisms to apex predators like bears and wolves. Their presence maintains the balance of this intricate network, fostering biodiversity that extends far beyond the rivers. Protecting salmon means safeguarding an entire world of interconnected life.
The greatest act of preservation is restraint: allowing nature to remain as it was intended.
What we stand to lose
Bristol Bay is a sanctuary where the rhythms of nature remain unbroken, a place where wild salmon shape rivers, forests, and life itself. But on the horizon loom the threats of mining and development—human incursions that could forever alter this delicate harmony. When we impose our will on nature, we unravel connections forged over millennia, diminishing not only the land but also the identity of those who depend on it.
This is more than a question of conservation—it is a question of legacy and responsibility. What do we lose when we alter the course of a place as pristine as Bristol Bay? This wilderness, untouched and self-sustaining, is a reminder of nature’s resilience when left to thrive. To protect it is to honor its balance, to embrace restraint, and to ensure that future generations can experience the wild as it was always intended to be.
Know Your SOURCE
Know Your SOURCE
How You Can Support Ethical Fishing Practices
Behind every great story lies an opportunity to connect with its source. Nick Lee’s commercial fishing operation offers a direct way to support the ecosystems featured in SOURCE by bringing sustainably caught, wild Alaska salmon from Bristol Bay to your table. Every fish is a testament to the enduring wildness of this pristine habitat and a reminder of why conservation matters.
In the Footsteps of Those Who Came Before
For generations, the people of Bristol Bay have lived in harmony with its waters, guided by a profound respect for the wild. The fishermen who cast their nets, the cultures that thrive on the rhythms of nature, and the guardians who protect this place remind us that stewardship is both an honor and a responsibility. To preserve Bristol Bay is to honor those who came before and ensure this legacy endures for those who come after.
