Pushing sustainable fishing, one plate at a time

Top hotels and restaurants in Manila, environmental groups and non-profit pro-fisheries organizations are bringing the sustainable fishing advocacy closer to diners. Recognizing the power of product buyers and diners, non-profit organization Rare Philippines and Swiss-led seafood trading company Meliomar Inc. have joined forces to promote sustainably fished marine products from a community of small-scale fishers in Antique province among top-rated hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila. The idea is to get as many high-end establishments to buy fish, crustaceans and other marine products from communities where the fisherfolk use non-invasive fishing gear, catch non-endangered, adult-sized marine species, fish in the right areas (avoiding protected areas and marine sanctuaries) and follow proper handling/storage under traceability standards.