Quality Certified Wild Alaska Salmon: The Alaska Quality Seafood® Program (AQS), developed and administered by Alaska Manufacturers' Association, is working with the industry to ensure that the best salmon in the world is also the most consistent and high quality. This voluntary program attracts quality-conscious fishermen, tender operators and processors committed to improving handling procedures and establishing industry-wide, uniform grade standards - the heart of the Quality improvement system. This system modifies traditional practices to better meet current needs of seafood buyers, and integrates all harvesting and processing steps under one set of statewide standards. The AQS Program is designed to ensure consistent quality through compliance with a standardized set of handling guidelines from the fishermen to the processor through case-up. Each participant is required to understand and accept responsibility to fully adhere to these practices. The final certification inspection relies on strict adherence to AQS handling guidelines.