Local Seafood

Choosing Local First
Local Seafood is good for you -- healthy, fresh, nutritious and affordable -- and good for all of us.

Who fishes matters
We agree with the folks at Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and their "Who Fishes Matters" campaign:

We believe there is a direct link between who fishes and the health of our ocean, marine ecosystem and commercial fisheries. Fisheries managers and policy makers are deciding on the rate and limits to consolidation and accumulation of fishing power within the fishing industry. Considering fishing is done to feed our food systems, we need to apply lessons learned from what happened when consolidation and accumulation of power happened to farmers who bring our land based foods to our table. In the end we realized that who farms matters to the health of our food, biodiversity, economies and communities.

Learn more about "Who Fishes Matters," and hear it directly from local fishermen, at www.namanet.org

The point is also eloquently made in this letter from Monique Coombs to the editor at the Portland Press Herald, Consolidation hurts Maine fishermen, dated June 25, 2011.                

Consolidation hurts Maine fishermen

According to a recent report by the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, our New England fishing fleet is consolidating in one direction: away from the small-scale fishery and toward the large-scale industrialized fishery.                        

Consolidation does not reduce the amount of fish caught, but will change the face of who does the fishing. At present, little to no protections exist that ensure who fishes will remain diverse -- nor are there any measures to prevent monopolization of limited rights to fish.

The fishermen of New England have much in common with our small family farmers. However, voices reaching from the sea sometimes sound more distant than those of land-based neighboring farmers.

Recent changes occurring in the Northeast fishery have brought about a dramatic transition in who is participating in the fishery. The issues are not simple, but as conscientious community members we can begin by listening to, and supporting, the voices of family fishermen who are watching their livelihoods disappear.

Currently in New England three corporate entities control nearly 40 percent of one fish stock.

Those of us concerned with the security of our food systems fear uncontrolled consolidation in the fishing industry -- the result of which will include the degradation of our resources, and the loss of the independent small-boat fishermen. The loss of these boats will have a domino effect on shore-side businesses.

Decisions made by the New England Fishery Management Council impact not only fishermen but also those who live, work, and eat in communities everywhere. We must raise our voices in support of the small-scale family fishermen and ask the NEFMC to ensure that protections exist to foster a diverse fishery.

Ultimately, maintaining a diverse fleet is one of NEFMC's own objectives. To learn more, visit www.namanet.org and see the report titled "Maintain Fleet Diversity in the New England Groundfish Fishery."

Monique A. Coombs
Lobsters on the Fly
Orr's Island

Key things to know about the community connection to the fishing industry

1. In a global world, it's vital to maintain small boat access to our fishery. More boats mean more jobs, transparency and community accountability. It's good for the economy and it's good for democracy.
2. The time to preserve our small-scale fishery now; if a port dies, we can't bring the infrastructure, skills or wisdom back.
3. This is our heritage-not only 400 years of industry, but a public commons to steward and value.
4. Fresh, wild fish is vital a source of local food, contributor to healthy diets, offering solutions to hunger, but often overlooked
5. The fishing industry helps drive our local economy: Local food and a local fleet can make dollars go 'round on shore, too. Consider processing, distribution, restaurants and markets.
6. Many of us are exploring new ways of keeping it local: direct purchasing from boats, community supported fisheries (CSFs), the signature brand "NH Seafood Fresh and Local," and more.

Seven Principles for Choosing Seafood
"Sustainable" can mean different things to different people in different places measuring different things. What we are offering some general points to keep in mind when and if you choose or have to eat food from the ocean, a list created by our friends at www.namanet.org. These are the same principles that guide the Festival:

1. Buy from local fishermen whenever possible
2. Choose seafood that has traveled the least distance
3. Choose wild seafood whenever possible
4. Avoid farmed finfish and shrimp
5. Avoid fake or imitation seafood products
6. Get involved in a Community Supported Fishery (CSF)
7. Ask how, where and when your seafood was caught.