Ocean Conservancy this week launched a Web site, From Fishery to Fork, an online platform devoted to educating and promoting long-term fishery sustainability. The site highlights opportunities for all stakeholders, from consumers and fishermen to fishery managers and policy makers, to educate themselves and make an impact by taking steps to improve fishery sustainability from ocean to table.
"We thought there was not a clear, simple explanation available to people about all of the components of sustainable seafood from supply chain issues to consumer choice and involvement," said Mark Powell, VP of sustainability partnerships/fisheries at Ocean Conservancy.
"From Fishery to Fork shows people all the components of fishery sustainability and demonstrates engagement opportunities. There's not just one thing people can do, there's a lot people can do," Powell added.
A success story from the site was highlighted this week in an NBC tribute to Earth Week series titled "Sea Change, Our Oceans, Our Planet and Our Future." The story features Ocean Conservancy's work with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to implement the first science-based management plan to help rebuild the red snapper population.
"It used to be that cutting back fishing was an issue of conservation versus jobs, but we've helped turn that around in the Gulf of Mexico with the Fishery to Fork approach," Powell said.
Although less than a week old, the response to From Fishery to Fork has been positive.
"We're getting first reactions and people say it looks great, and we're hoping to see people get engaged. We know seafood businesses are responding positively to this already and now we're launching it publicly and amplifying this effort because we know this effort works," Powell said.
"We hope to build a large network of active partners, including both businesses and individuals," he added. "We want this network to support changes in policy, fishing and supply chains to help rebuild favorite seafood items that are currently unsustainable. We will work through a list of high priority items and create highly specific action items, and post them on the fishery to fork website. We will also communicate individually with partners on specific action items."
April 21, 2009
