Veteran Iditarod musher Aaron Burmeister (bib #36) of Nome and Nenana, Alaska, is the first to arrive at the Rohn (south) checkpoint at 4:26 p.m. with 14 dogs in harness.

In doing so Burmeister claims the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award that includes 25 pounds of fresh Bristol Bay salmon filets, $2,000 and a wood burned art piece by BBNC shareholder artist Apay’uq Moore.

“Bristol Bay Native Corporation is excited to present an award that supports our Fish First value,” said Jason Metrokin, BBNC president and chief executive officer. “Both dog mushing and fishing are longstanding traditions in Bristol Bay. We congratulate Aaron Burmeister on winning the 2021 Fish First Award.”

Bristol Bay is home to the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery. BBNC has endorsed a Fish First value for land and resource management in Bristol Bay. In all land management and resource development decisions, adequate protections for fish and fish habitat will always be a priority.

The Fish First Award will be re-presented to Burmeister at a later date.