National Seafood Month - Sailors for the Sea

National Seafood Month

 October 30, 2015  | By: Oceana

Once thought of as a vast expanse with endless resources, we now know the ocean is finite and we need to act now to help protect it.

October is #nationalseafoodmonth and what better way to end the month than to learn about how you can help support sustainable fisheries and fishing practices. You may be wondering, “how do I as an individual make a difference?” Well, as consumers, by making smart, responsible choices when it comes to our seafood, we can play an important role in creating a healthy ocean for the future.

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Before you buy seafood to cook at home or head out for dinner, know what types of fish you prefer that are sustainable. Both Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and NOAA’s FishWatch programs provide information and recommendations to help you choose seafood that is fished or farmed in ways that have less impact on the environment. Even better…both websites have a list of ocean-friendly seafood recipes.

2. Whenever you are at a grocery store or restaurant, ask where your fish came from and how it was caught. These simple questions can help shape the demand for fish that has been caught or farmed for in environmentally sustainable ways.

3. Eat fish and shellfish that are caught locally. Talk with and learn from your fishermen and dealers specializing in seafood in your region. You may be able to find seafood at your local farmers’ market or join a Community Supported Fishery (CSF).

4. Educate children about sustainable seafood and fishing practices using our Kids Environmental Lesson Plans (KELP). Deadliest Catch teaches students about the effects of advancing fishing technology on fish populations. The KELP kit only requires two types of candy (e.g. Swedish fish and M&Ms), straws, spoons and bowls. Another fun game that is also a test of memory is the Sustainable Matching Game. This activity allows children to visually identify fish and gain an understanding of which ones can be sustainably harvested. Our KELP modules are easy to teach, fun and educational. They’re even free and downloadable from our website, just register at: sailorsforthesea.org/programs/kelp.

Taking action through sustainable practices will help overfished species become plentiful once again.