Fisherfolk and the Food Sovereignty Movement

Written by Hannah Shively

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we rightly value our fishing heritage and the opportunities to enjoy amazingly fresh seafood straight from the Puget Sound.  Caring for our oceans is a lot like caring for our land: sustainable, healthy ecosystems are made possible by the expertise and support of sustainable, healthy communities. In the same way, issues faced by small-scale farmers are mirrored in issues faced by local fisherfolk; such as the current struggle against the advent of GMO salmon that threaten to contaminate local stocks .

PHOTO CREDIT: Javier Vasquez

PHOTO CREDIT: Javier Vasquez

We, however, rarely consider the fisherfolk that supply the seafood not only from our corner of the world but globally as the National Marine Fisheries Service reports that 86% of the seafood consumed by Americans is imported.

A recent New York Times article on Thai shrimp fishing revealed that this imported seafood is linked to trafficked human labor, the disintegration of foreign fish stocks, and the undermining of local, more sustainable fishery economies.

To learn about these local and global issues and more, register now for the annual Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere! Dinner, featuring addresses by Niaz Dorry (North Atlantic Marine Alliance) and Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project).

Posted in Food Justice Blog Posts.

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