SLOW FISH NORTH AMERICA
Slow Fish North America is a grassroots network of fish harvesters, fishmongers, distributors, retailers, chefs, researchers, educators, youth and advocates working to support local, values-based seafood systems. We work to promote local seafood supply chains that provide seafood that is good, clean and fair for all.
OUR VALUES
Good
• Wholesome
• Seasonal
• Local
• Fresh
• Delicious
• Handled properly and with honor
CLEAN
• Sourced from a well-managed fishery
• Preserves biodiversity
• Sustains environment
• Nourishes a healthy lifestyle
FAIR
• Provides fair wages to seafood harvesters and crew
• Honors diversity of cultures and traditions
• Treats oceans as a common public resource
• Sold at fair prices and is therefore accessible to everyone
WHY WE CARE
- More than 80% of the seafood we eat in the U.S. is imported, and more than half of that is farm raised in unhealthy conditions.
- These imports typically disadvantage domestic fishermen by undercutting prices.
- Industrialization and consolidation of domestic fisheries displaces independent, community-based fishing operations.
- Climate change can have drastic impacts on fisheries and species populations domestically and globally.
The Blue Economy often privatizes our oceans, treating them as exclusive areas and not as publicly shared resources. The Blue Commons is an ideology advocating for treating all oceans as public trust areas with equal access for all.
What We Do
Slow Fish North America counters industrialized food systems by supporting more direct, transparent seafood supply chains focused on independent fishermen working and selling their products locally. We want to treat our oceans and waterways as shared public resources, not privatized corporate investments.
We advocate for fisheries management that is agile enough to address fast-changing climate impacts at local and regional levels.
Slow Fish Programs provides four different levels of engagement:
HOW TO SLOW FISH
(How you can get involved!)
INDIVIDUALS
• Read labels
• Check out the 7 Cs of Sustainable Seafood
• Check out the Local Catch Network Core Values
• Check out the Aquaculture Visioning Report and values
COMMUNITIES
• Host events centered on values
• Support local seafood systems with policies that uplift fishermen in your community
• Foster healthy biodiversity in your communities
ORGANIZATIONS
• Spread the word about seafood with values
• Host events that focus on seafood with values
• Make connections with local fishermen and fishmongers
• Join Slow Fish
network gatherings
Slow Fish gatherings happen around the world. From the watersheds of the Northern Seas, to the Mediterranean, to the South Pacific, stakeholders along the supply chain are gathering to advance the common vision of good, clean and fair seafood for all. Both Terra Madre and Slow Fish Genoa host every-other-year gatherings for Slow Fish leaders around the world to connect. Check out the International Slow Fish campaign to learn more.
SLOW FISH NEW ORLEANS - 2016
SLOW FISH INTERNATIONAL SUMMITS
SLOW FISH SAN FRANCISCO - 2018
SLOW FISH VIRTUAL GATHERING - 2021
Slow Fish VIRTUAL EVENTS
Slow Fish Crew Together
A Webinar Series
The COVID-19 pandemic tested the resilience, resolve and recovery potential of fishing communities and seafood eaters both domestically and abroad. Resilience hinges on adaptability to a situation that changes every day and shifts the parameters, even as folks are finding new ways of selling and eating seafood. Join us for ‘Slow Fish Crew Together,’ a webinar series discussing where the fishing community is at during this time and how we can move forward together.