# Eating My Way Toward More Sustainable Oceans 

*Published:* 2009-06-09
*Author:* Phoebe Higgins

*Phoebe Higgins is a loan officer/project manager for the California Fisheries Fund, a project of Environmental Defense Fund.*

I consider myself a green [foodie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodies), so I was really excited about [Monterey Bay Aquarium’s](http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/) “Cooking for Solutions,” an annual sustainable cuisine event. I got to meet world-famous chefs like Thomas Keller of [The French Laundry](http://http://www.frenchlaundry.com/) and learn about sustainable seafood.

![smoked black cod](https://blogs.edf.org/edfish/wp-content/blogs.dir/18/files/2009/06/cod.jpg)

Of course the food was out of this world. Who knew that an albacore tuna Reuben could taste so good? A close second was the mosaic fishcake paired with French breakfast radishes from [Chez Panisse](http://www.chezpanisse.com/) and a sardine crostini served up by [Fish](http://www.331fish.com/food/index.html) in Sausalito. Although the common thread behind these dishes was their “eco-friendly” status, I was really hoping the menu would share the *stories* behind the fish.

I’m always curious to know who caught the fish, where, and how the fisheries are being managed. In fact, I think food tastes better when I get to know the people who contributed to bringing it to my plate.

![Phoebe Higgins with CFF consultant David Crabbe at Cooking for Solutions](https://blogs.edf.org/edfish/wp-content/blogs.dir/18/files/2009/06/higgins_and_crabbe.jpg)My project, the [California Fisheries Fund,](http://www.californiafisheriesfund.org/) helps make this link. It supports fishermen who bring sustainable seafood to the American table. CFF is a $5 million, first-of-its kind revolving loan fund created to restore California’s fisheries, and we just gave out our [first three loans](http://www.californiafisheriesfund.org/customers.html). One of the borrowers, Roger Cullen, is a Morro Bay fisherman whose loan for a new vessel will allow him to fish for black cod and rockfish more efficiently with gear that reduces [bycatch](http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bycatch).

Roger unloads his catch with another CFF borrower, [Morro Bay Fish Company](http://www.morrobayfish.com/), whose loan proceeds are helping grow its operations for unloading fish from local fishermen who use innovative trap and hook-and-line gear. After reaching the docks, much of this seafood is shipped to [Central Coast Seafood](http://www.ccseafood.com/), in Atascadero, CA. Their CFF loan has allowed them to upgrade its freezers and inventory and boost marketing for its sustainable products.

![Butter-poached sole with cara cara oranges](https://blogs.edf.org/edfish/wp-content/blogs.dir/18/files/2009/06/sole2.jpg)To connect people directly with our borrowers’ products and highlight CFF investments, we held a big launch at Google headquarters in Silicon Valley on March 30th. More than 100 people heard firsthand from the very folks whose livelihood is centered around bringing wild-caught fish to our stores and restaurants. We chose Google as a host because, in contract with [Bon Appétit Management Company](http://www.bamco.com/page/3/sustainable-food-service.htm), they have a strong commitment to purchasing sustainable seafood.

I think the fact that the launch was covered by [Fast Company](http://www.fastcompany.com/tag/california-fisheries-fund), [GreenBiz](http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/03/30/sustainable-fishing-funds-5m) and [Sustainable Industries](http://www.sustainableindustries.com/finance/42224047.html) proves that the business community is starting to take note of the profitability of America’s sustainable fisheries. Best of all, I was able to sit down to a meal of eco-friendly fish *and* hear the story behind the food I was eating. I’ll never look at smoked black cod toasts and butter-poached sole with cara cara oranges the same way again!