"We put so many different things in our bodies now. I think the cleaner we eat, the better we are." —Shareen Davis
Our oceans are an incredibly valuable resource— home to some of the world's most majestic and diverse marine life. Unfortunately, our current fishing systems continue to threaten the health and balance of our aquatic ecosystems.
That's why sustainable fishing is a vital practice for the preservation of our water resources. It helps to protect endangered species, reduce bycatch, and create more sustainable seafood supplies. Additionally, it promotes ocean health, improves the livelihoods of fishing communities, and reduces environmental damage from overfishing. By taking steps to implement sustainable fishing practices in our fisheries communities, we can help make a difference for future generations.
Chatham Harvesters is a cooperative that harvests and sells Cape Cod seafood. By utilizing their resources and implementing innovative strategies to empower the local fishing community, they have been able to create a sustainable business model that benefits everyone involved. This proves that sustainable seafood practices are possible when there is a collective effort.
In this episode, we will take a look at the innovative initiatives that Chatham Harvesters has implemented to promote sustainability and how they empower the local fishing community. Justine and Shareen also discuss the challenges of sustainably managing fishing and marine resources, the importance of economic empowerment for fishermen, the difference between eating local catch vs farm-raised seafood, and how to bridge the gap between local farmers and the community.
Meet Shareen:
Shareen has years of experience in seafood consulting, visual art, and writing. Through her work and writing, she aims to provide insight into the issues facing our local fishing communities. She also hopes to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability in our food system and help people understand how they can make a difference.
Shareen also serves as the Program Developer and Cook at Chatham Harvesters, a cooperative that is owned and operated by fishermen themselves. Their mission is to build community involvement in local fishing while ensuring that consumers receive quality local seafood at reasonable prices. To achieve these goals, they focus on increasing access to abundant species markets, educating the public about cleanly harvesting whole animals from fisheries, and creating collective economic stability.
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Episode Highlights:
00:53 Reconnecting Seafood Loving Communities to Local Catch
04:00 Local Catch vs. Farm-Raised Fish
10:38 Connecting Fishermen and the Community
15:04 The Fair Price Conversation
21:26 Crafting a Business Model That Benefits All