For fisheries, the path to sustainability isn't easy. In the latest episode of The Conch podcast, we learn how one woman is working to support fisheries in their journey to sustainability, helping them capture value and ensure sustainable seafood for generations to come.
Julie welcomes Erika Feller, Americas Regional Director at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)—an international nonprofit on a mission to end overfishing and ensure that seafood is caught sustainably.
Episode Transcript
Episode Guide
:00 Intro
01:59 Having started her career on Capitol Hill, Erika has a few ideas why marine conservation organizations might be hesitant to engage with policymakers and government.
8:20 We can all agree that seafood is good for your health. *We walk through the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee's recommendation on how to develop a national seafood marketing campaign.
12:08 Want to better understand the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel certification and its standards? Here you go!
16:05 Challenges that the MSC faces in supporting global fisheries and their pathways to environmental sustainability.
20:59 Climate change and fisheries: Policy and regulation are important, but engaging with people and communities is what keeps fisheries sustainable and leads to homegrown solutions to address the challenges arising due to climate change.
25:53 The MSC recognizes the critical importance of mitigating the risk of forced or child labor and social inequities in global fisheries.
35:32 Advice to women joining the seafood industry: "Maximize the serendipity potential" and take advantage of opportunities that arise.
39:34 Uplifting and amplifying Lisa Damrosch and Sandy Nguyen–two incredible women working in seafood on opposite coasts of the U.S.
*Erika is the former Chair of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MFAC), which developed the report recommending the development of a national seafood marketing campaign, which Linda Cornish and Seafood Nutrition Partnership are bringing to life. Hear more about this effort on Season 2, Episode 5 of The Conch podcast featuring a conversation with Linda Cornish.
Resources:
Learn more about the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) on their website and on their Instagram.
Learn more about the women Erika uplifts: Lisa Damrosch and Sandy Nguyen
Make sure to recommend this episode to anyone you think might care about the future of our ocean and women working in the sector.
The Conch Podcast is a program of Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE). Audio production, engineering, editing, mixing, and sound design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado & team at Seaworthy. Theme music: "Dilation" by Satan's Pilgrims. Funding generously provided by The David & Lucile Packard Foundation.
