Press Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, 202.841.0295
New Consumer Initiative Launched – The Faces of California Fishing
Support Fishing Communities by Buying Fresh, Local Seafood
(October 3, 2007 – Morro Bay, CA) A new initiative, The Faces of California Fishing, will launch today with a kick-off party, featuring fresh, local seafood to celebrate the real faces and stories behind California fishing at Tognazzini's Dockside Too in Morro Bay , CA . The initiative includes several ads in local food sections urging consumers to eat California seafood. Additional outreach will be done through the new website – www.facesofcaliforniafishing.com – and outreach to chefs, restaurants, seafood lovers and markets.
California fishing communities are struggling at this time to remain just that, fishing communities. Stringent regulations and the inability of the regulatory process and scientific analysis to consider the economics of family owned fishing businesses have made local supplies of seafood hard to come by.
There is a huge misconception of Commercial Fishing in California . Many Californians think the California seafood they enjoy comes from big industry and do not fully understand that 95% of the California fishing fleet are small family owned boats.
"There's a real need for awareness when it comes to seafood," said Lori French, The Faces of California Fishing Director. "Most people aren't aware of where their seafood comes from, how it is regulated for health and environmental standards and who actually caught it."
In addition many citizens do not fully understand just how strongly commercial fishermen feel about protecting the ocean that provides their livelihood, while dealing with ever tightening regulations.
"Fishing is not a love, it's my life," said David Kubiak a second generation Morro Bay fisherman. "Protecting our resources is a good thing, but over regulation is a counterproductive. It defeats the purpose, and has opened the door for imported fish out of unregulated waters."
Buying locally caught seafood supports the efforts of fishing communities working to maintain healthy fish stocks and supplies of wild caught, nutritious fish for American consumers. Also, keeping the infrastructure in fishing communities intact is an important link in the chain as well. Money spent on local fish is then turned around and spent back in the community.
Generally, consumers are unaware of the origins of the seafood they purchase. Often seafood is labeled as "local" when it is not. If local fisheries are shut down, consumers will be forced to buy more of their seafood from unregulated, foreign sources. This not only results in unreliable quality but also directly impacts the local and national economy.
To learn more about The Faces of California Fishing and download recipes, stories and seafood tips visit www.facesofcaliforniafishing.com.
The Faces of California Fishing will also be at the annual Morro Bay Harbor Festival – October 6– 7 - http://www.mbhf.com.
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The Faces of California Fishing is a new initiative to share the real stories and people behind California 's fishing communities. Consumers can support them and get great quality fish by eating safe, fresh local seafood.
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The Faces of California Fishing - Promotional Agent:
Kathleen Goldstein
Green Fish Communications
11135 Schuylkill Rd.
Rockville, MD 20852
202-841-0295