Slow Fish Charleston: A Recap

The Slow Fish conference was a pivotal gathering focused on networking and strategy, highlighting critical issues within our seafood-related food systems while offering actionable solutions for a more sustainable future. One of the conference’s standout achievements was its ability to bring together diverse voices—scientists, chefs, fishers, lobbyists, journalists, processors, and others from all walks of life. Through lectures and dynamic discussions, these varied perspectives converged to deepen our understanding and drive positive change within our food systems. I’d like to share an overview of the conference, focusing on how it relates to our work at Dune Brothers and how we might apply the lessons learned and connections made going forward.

‍Policy and Big Money

Throughout our opening day and the first full day of lectures, there was a strong focus on how large industry players have shaped policy to the detriment of small commercial fishing operations. One speaker provided a compelling example of this, discussing the dramatic decline in commercial fishing vessels in the southeastern United States over recent decades, as industry giants increasingly privatize these waters. Her perspective was particularly insightful; she began her career in the public sector, working to shape seafood policy and serving as an observer on commercial fishing vessels. Later, she married a commercial fisherman and left her public-sector role to support his business. Her well-rounded but unfortunately bleak view on the future of domestic seafood highlights the urgent need to support small commercial fishing operations, which face immense challenges simply to survive. This message reinforced my understanding of the critical importance of our work in advocating for and sustaining these smaller fishing ventures in every way we can.  

Environmental Challenges and Solutions

The conference provided substantial insights into the environmental impacts of our current approaches to seafood systems, particularly their effects on surrounding ecosystems. A compelling example was shared by an environmental scientist working with wild salmon in Canada. His research demonstrates how large-scale salmon farming is depleting local stocks of wild salmon. He explained that, for every 4-5 pounds of food given to farmed salmon, only about 1 pound of meat is produced. Additionally, diseases and pollution from these farms have severely affected wild fish populations, which lack immunity to these new threats. Fortunately, research like his helps drive policy towards banning harmful fish farming practices, while providing data to support the benefits of removing these operations.

From Dune Brothers’ perspective, we gained valuable takeaways about the importance of monitoring local fish farming operations and their potential effects on wild fish populations. We are currently exploring partnerships with sustainable fish farms to demonstrate models that align with ecological best practices. Supporting smaller, responsibly managed farms allows us to showcase how others can implement sustainable strategies in our region.

Education and Outreach‍

A recurring theme throughout the Slow Fish conference was that consumer education is essential for developing solution-oriented approaches to our food system. One important insight was the chef’s role as a bridge between the boat and the consumer, illustrating how chefs play a crucial role in raising awareness and appreciation for diverse seafood. This impact is already evident at Dune Brothers, where we sell more pollock, skate, and butterfish than comparable restaurant concepts, making these species both known and desired in our community. This demand, in turn, encourages local fishers to target a broader range of species, fostering sustainable fishing practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, establishing a Slow Fish chapter here in Rhode Island could be transformative, connecting us to a diverse network of like-minded individuals dedicated to advancing sustainable seafood practices. I leave this conference feeling energized and reassured that we are on the right path. Many of the people we connected with encouraged us to continue pushing forward with all our resources and determination. Now is the time to act decisively; as Slow Fish emphasized, this is our opportunity to make meaningful, lasting changes to our food systems. With our mission, “Seafood for the people,” guiding us, I am confident that we will achieve just that.

‍