Seafood is healthy, delicious, and fast disappearing from our oceans. As a solution to overfishing and the depletion of fish species worldwide, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center decided to act locally with the creation of the Virginia Aquarium Sensible Seafood Program in 2008. Since then, the program has grown to include over 70 local restaurant and business partners who are committed to promoting seafood choices that make sense for a healthier marine environment.
The program brings together chefs, seafood suppliers, and consumers to show that small changes in the kitchen result in bigger changes for our oceans. The program encourages restaurants and businesses to offer sensible seafood options, and educates consumers to make better, more sustainable choices at the dinner table, whether at home or in a restaurant.
Several upcoming events during this year’s Sensible Seafood Week will help you find out more about seafood sustainability and the Sensible Seafood Program. Have fun with the whole family while learning about a healthier lifestyle at the Sensible Seafood Kids Day presented by Whole Foods Market from 11am-3pm on Saturday, May 17th at the Aquarium. Or learn more about sustainable fisheries with Tim Fitzgerald of the Environmental Defense Fund, who will speak as a part of the Aquarium’s Watts Conservation Speaker Series at 2pm on Sunday, 18 May at the Aquarium.
The Aquarium will also host the 5th Annual Sensible Seafood Fest presented by PNC Bank on Thursday, 22 May. We invite you to celebrate Sensible Seafood by sampling dishes that feature sensible seafood options. With 25 participating partner restaurants and businesses this year, the Sensible Seafood Fest proves that seafood sustainability can be easy, tasty and fun!
For more information or to buy tickets to this year’s Fest, visit us online at Virginia Aquarium Sensible Seafood Program.
Guest post submitted by Leslie Clements, Program Assurance Assistant with the Sensible Seafood Program.