For a country of 7,641 islands with a population of more than 100 million, more than half of which are living in coastal areas, an empty ocean means food insecurity, malnutrition, and further hardships to our fisher folk, who have been identified as poorest of the poor. Due to years of unregulated and destructive fishing, we are at risk of having a fish-less future.
We cannot continue turning a blind eye to the exploitation of our oceans. Together with other organizations and concerned individuals, we are stepping up the campaign to protect our oceans and ensure an abundant future for our fisher folk.
Last year, Greenpeace Philippines, together with RARE, Meliomar, Manila’s premier hotels, retailers, and restaurants started an initiative dubbed as Sustainable Seafood Week, which showcased best practices and collaborations that will help our seas to recover, one plate at a time.
On its second year, which was observed last February, we are happy that we have more hotels, restaurants, retailers, exporters, fishers, and organizations who participated. It shows the increasing awareness and interests on the importance of traceable and sustainable seafood for the benefit of our oceans and the people depending on it.
© Alanah Torralba / Greenpeace
Aside from having more participants this year, what else is new?
Together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), we developed a clear roadmap to make traceable, equitable, and sustainable seafood available and accessible outside of posh and high-end hotels and on to our wet markets and favorite grocery stores.
Wide consumer access to sustainable, equitable, and traceable seafood is a disincentive to companies who make profits through destructive fishing practices and those who violate the rights of their workers.
Our campaign to save our oceans has gone a long way from patrolling the waters and helping reform our fishing law. Today we want to chase bad guys at sea, one plate at a time.
Photo from Sustainable Seafood Week PH Facebook page