Funds for The Faces of California Fishing were provided by a grant from Central California Joint Cable/Fisheries Liaison Committee.
Content copyright 2011. Faces of California Fishing. All rights reserved.
Content copyright 2011. Faces of California Fishing. All rights reserved.
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Support Your Local Central Coast Fishermen
Do you know where your seafood comes from?
Despite the diversity and abundance of domestic fisheries, over 85% of the seafood we consume here is imported. China, Thailand, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ecuador are the primary countries catching, farming and shipping this seafood into the US. Unfortunately, many of the protections built into US fisheries management are not enforced on the high seas. Seafood species we value in our diet (shrimp, tuna, swordfish, just to name a few) that American fishermen would like to continue making a living from, are often caught or farmed without regard to the future. If you are concerned about eating seafood that is sustainable, we recommend you buy US caught or farmed seafood. Your choice supports an industry of fishermen and their families, and the heritage of our country.
A full ninety-five percent (95%) of California's commercial fishermen are small, family-owned businesses. Take a moment and read about some of them – you’ll find one common thread binding them all, the spirit of independence. And yet, these fiercely independent small businessmen are united on one front: conservation and protection of ocean resources. Simply put, if they don't take care of the ocean, they can’t make a living.
The State of California manages all fisheries in a sustainable manner, imposing some of the most stringent fishery regulations of any place on earth. In response, California’s commercial fishermen are constantly developing and testing innovative methods of fishing, searching out methods that are productive and safe, in an ongoing effort to protect the resources and the environment. (See, e.g. the Morro Bay Fishery Fund Programs ) To help ensure sustainable California fisheries, conscientious consumers should seek out wild California seafood.
Much like commercial fishermen, their fishing communities also struggle, not to survive, but to remain just that, fishing communities. Increased costs of coastal living, regulatory changes and development have all taken their toll, leaving in many places a mere shadow of the industry that not that long ago provided these communities with their economic base.
You can help. Remember, when choosing seafood, ask for a local product – you’ll be assured of buying sustainably-harvested seafood, helping support your local fishing communities and their commercial fishermen, and getting top quality seafood, too.
Do you know where your seafood comes from?
Despite the diversity and abundance of domestic fisheries, over 85% of the seafood we consume here is imported. China, Thailand, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ecuador are the primary countries catching, farming and shipping this seafood into the US. Unfortunately, many of the protections built into US fisheries management are not enforced on the high seas. Seafood species we value in our diet (shrimp, tuna, swordfish, just to name a few) that American fishermen would like to continue making a living from, are often caught or farmed without regard to the future. If you are concerned about eating seafood that is sustainable, we recommend you buy US caught or farmed seafood. Your choice supports an industry of fishermen and their families, and the heritage of our country.
A full ninety-five percent (95%) of California's commercial fishermen are small, family-owned businesses. Take a moment and read about some of them – you’ll find one common thread binding them all, the spirit of independence. And yet, these fiercely independent small businessmen are united on one front: conservation and protection of ocean resources. Simply put, if they don't take care of the ocean, they can’t make a living.
The State of California manages all fisheries in a sustainable manner, imposing some of the most stringent fishery regulations of any place on earth. In response, California’s commercial fishermen are constantly developing and testing innovative methods of fishing, searching out methods that are productive and safe, in an ongoing effort to protect the resources and the environment. (See, e.g. the Morro Bay Fishery Fund Programs ) To help ensure sustainable California fisheries, conscientious consumers should seek out wild California seafood.
Much like commercial fishermen, their fishing communities also struggle, not to survive, but to remain just that, fishing communities. Increased costs of coastal living, regulatory changes and development have all taken their toll, leaving in many places a mere shadow of the industry that not that long ago provided these communities with their economic base.
You can help. Remember, when choosing seafood, ask for a local product – you’ll be assured of buying sustainably-harvested seafood, helping support your local fishing communities and their commercial fishermen, and getting top quality seafood, too.