Seafood project feedback

[whyseafood]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about engaging in a project, and I'd like some feedback on whether, as seafood lovers, you think this would be useful.

I spent three years at sea in both Alaska and Hawaii as a federal scientist monitoring and sampling commercial fisheries, including cod, flatfish, pollock, tuna, mahi mahi etc, etc. As I climbed the NOAA fish ladder (sorry, couldn't resist), I spent a large portion of my professional life creating conservation and management programs for most of the fisheries off Alaska. For the last five years, I've managed a trade group, helping a group of forward-thinking fishermen get the biggest bang for their buck, while addressing many of the conservation issues that have plagued their industry for years.

Even with my experience, I'm confused with the food choices I'm faced with every time I visit the local grocery store or my favorite restaurant. For a consumer that cares about the food I put in my body, I want to know how that food was produced, its effect on the environment, and it's nutritional value. For someone with these concerns, it's not easy to choose between organic, farm raised chicken and wild caught Pacific cod.

For some reason, seafood receives increased public scrutiny, and the seafood consumer gets conflicting advice from all over the place. However, when we weigh the overwhelming positive benefits of seafood consumption and production with the negative aspects of other proteins, the choice is really much simpler than we've been led to believe.

I'm thinking about writing a book that will simplify the issue for seafood consumers. Some of the topics I'm thinking about covering include:

-A broad look at fishing, with a focus United States fisheries and the successes we've achieved in domestic waters.

-A brief description of the nutritional value of seafood. Lots has been written about this topic, so I'd probably just summarize much of this information.

-The business of environmentalism, the business of commercial scale fisheries, and the balance achieved in how fisheries are conducted.

-The real environmental impacts of large scale fishing versus other land-based protein sources such as beef or chicken.

-Explanation for what so many of eco-lable programs exist, and simplification of these programs. Examples include the Marine Stewardship Council or Friends of the Sea.

-Success stories. Stories of real fishermen and women, some of whom come from a long line of fishing families, and are concerned about their livelihood for generations to come.

-Links to videos showing where your seafood comes from.

As my potential audience, I'm really hoping that you'll take the time to provide me with some feedback. Consider the following few questions:

-Would this information be useful to me as a seafood consumer?

-Are there other resources which you already draw this information from?

-Are there any other topics that you're interested in or confused about and would like clarification?

Thank you in advance for your help and interest!

Jason.