Happy Thanksgiving! We have so many things to be grateful for, among them this network of people who are all working to make our lives more just and sustainable. Next year marks our 20th anniversary. It's been a long road. We're grateful for those who started us on this path, and glad to be on it with you who have sustained us through the years.
We are also grateful for the way we work. And as we go into a new year, we're thankful to you for joining in this great year of collective work to support and advance the priorities of community-based fisheries.
It felt like old home week at the Center for Arts at the Armory earlier this month. We had a blast at NAMA's first-ever benefit event. The music, food, drinks, auction and art were all amazing - as was seeing you all there. Thanks to our sponsors and partners for making it an extra-special night!
Hope Road, the Seafire Kids, and Chelsea Berry onstage at Rock the Boat
Influencing policy:
Diversity makes us stronger
In Newport, RI last week, the New England Fisheries Management Council voted on the range of alternatives in Amendment 18 to protect the groundfish fleet and preserve fleet diversity. A motion to weaken Amendment 18 by removing inshore protections failed by two votes.
In the wake of the recent cut to codfish catch limits in New England, which are making it even more difficult for fishermen who are already hurting from the effects of the consolidation of fishing quota, it's even more urgent to ensure the right set of protections is maintained in Amendment 18. We'll keep you posted on the next opportunity to weigh in to policymakers. The next important meeting will be in April.
Our colleague Aaron Dority from the Penobscot East Resource Center has been instrumental in moving the pieces of A18 along. He's winding down his tenure with PERC this year to lead the Frenchman Bay Conservancy. We'll miss his work and friendship, and we wish him well. Thanks Aaron.
Transforming Markets:
Slow Fish and Real Food Challenge break it down
Earlier this month, our partners Slow Fish and Real Food Challenge (a national coalition of students mobilizing to change the higher-ed food system) teamed up on a Slow Fish workshop at Northeastern University, teaching students issues and skills related to seafood in New England.
Since the event, student activists have started working on a Real Food Challenge city-wide strategy with plans for the six universities in Boston who have approached their administration to sign a non-binding pledge to shift 20% of their purchases toward local, humane, and fair food to work together and press their universities to sign the pledge. And they're not stopping just in New England. Plans are afoot to expand this work throughout New England and further into other US campuses.
Slow Fish workshop at Northeastern University
It's the 3rd annual International Food Workers Week. Our partners at the Food Chain Workers Alliance built this campaign to show solidarity with the millions of food workers around the world who help bring food to our tables but struggle to make a living every day. There are lots of ways to take action and help support this campaign for #foodworkerheroes. Here are a few:
3. Support striking Walmart workers and join a Black Friday protest. 4. Grab a copy of Food Chain Avengers, a new comic book exposing the exploitative nature of the food industry Vis-�-vis its workers, communities, and the environment and tells the story of struggle to victory.
