TAKE ACTION!

Slow Food Nation ‘08

The Institute for Fisheries Resources (IFR) is excited to be a part of Slow Food Nation ‘08, a celebration of America’s food and food traditions in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend. We are spearheading, with Tom Worthington of Monterey Fish Market, the fish taste pavilion at Ft. Mason. Tickets for the taste pavilion are available here. A benefit dinner in our honor will be held by the Hayes Street Grill on August 29th, and locally caught seafood will be served next to some of the fishermen who caught it! Unfortunately the dinner is already sold out.

Slow Food Nation ‘08 will last all of Labor Day weekend throughout San Francisco. See www.slowfoodnation.org for more information.

Why you should get involved

Because, at this moment, many aquatic wildlife species are on the verge of extinction. Because everyday, acres of irreplaceable marine and andronomous habitat are lost unnecessarily. Because ensuring the sustainability of our aquatic environment is essential for the continued livelihood of coastal communities in the United States and around the world.

It’s your right. It’s your voice

Online activism works. You can help protect and conserve our precious biological resources. Write a letter to your state or federal officials. Sign an online petition. Attend a support rally. IFR provides support for concerned groups and individuals by providing educational materials online.

Success! The 2002 Farm Bill Requires Seafood Labeling

Paying close attention to seafood labels is one simple and effective method for promoting sustainable fishing practices. In the past, buying environmentally-friendly fish wasn’t very easy. Most grocers used labels that did not provide complete and accurate details concerning the sustainability of their products and often, unknowingly or knowingly, mislabeled much seafood. IFR and many other organizations worked to correct this, and now country-of-origin labelling is mandantory on all seafood sold in the United States. Additionally, a farmed or wild-caught label and a color-added label is required. If you find your local grocer is not in compliance, take action!

• Buy smart. Buy local and sustainable seafood. Buy what’s currently in season. Use our Local & Seasonal Seafood Program and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to help make sustainable seafood choices.
• Tell your grocer. Let your grocer know that they must label their seafood accurately, with country of origin, if color is added, and whether it is farmed or wild-caught.