'FROM HOOK TO FORK:

A MISSING LINK IN THE FISH CHAIN'

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A PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST & PANEL DISCUSSION

‘From Hook to Fork: A Missing Link in the Fish Chain’ intended to raise public awareness on the lack of access to fresh, locally-caught, sustainably harvested fish and seafood in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The project also proposed to reveal and promote discussion on the disconnect between the different parts of the fish chain and invite participants to question the status quo of NL fisheries (e.g. What is being harvested? What is being sold locally? What is being consumed in the household?).

 

Through a photography exhibit and contest, the project aimed to add transparency to the fishing industry, share traditional fishing practices and local consumer habits, and ultimately connect fishers to processors to consumers across the fish chain. Furthermore, through a panel discussion, it intended to bring to the forefront issues such as the lack of access to locally-caught fish and seafood in the province and invite participants and visitors to reflect on its implications to food sovereignty, fisheries sustainability and the economy of coastal communities.

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Photography contest

 

We invited the submission of photos in four main categories depicting different parts of the fish chain from 'hook to fork': i) fish harvesting; ii) fish processing; iii) retailing & marketing; and iv) preparation & consumption. All photographs submitted were showcased to the general public as an online gallery at 'The Fish Market' website, and during February 20 to March 26, 2021, visitors to the webpage were able to view the photo gallery and vote for their favourite in each of the four categories. Voting closed on March 26, 2021, and those who voted were entered into a draw to win a prize from a local organization in the province working on fish as food. The photos that received the largest number of votes in each of the four categories won the contest, and each of those photographers received a prize, also in support of local fisheries/food organizations in NL. The winners to the voters’ draw and the photo contest were announced on The Fish Market's website and social media and received award vouchers via e-mail. The winning photographs will be printed and exhibited in an open gallery format during the Summer of 2021 at Fishing for Success in Petty Harbour, NL. The event will be widely promoted through The Fish Market’s website and social media channels, as well as by its partners and sponsor (Ocean Wise).

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Contest prizes & winners
Category 1 (harvesting): Cod Jigging tour with Fishing for Success; Winner: Karl Hodge 
Category 2 (processing): Heritage fishing skills experience with Fishing for Success; Winner: Christina Williams
Category 3 (retailing/marketing): $50 gift card to Goodwater Seafoods & Season Pass to the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium; Winner: Megan Frost
Category 4 (preparation/consumption): $50 gift card to St. John's Fish Exchange; Winner: Dianne Bartlett
Voters' prize draw: Online cooking class for fish and seafood from The Alder Cottage; Winner: Shane Frost

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Panel discussion

 

An online panel discussion on the topic ‘From Hook to Fork: A Missing Link in the Fish Chain’ was held as part of Ocean Bridge's National Summit on March 5, 2021, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm NST via Zoom and live streamed on Facebook. The event brought together representatives of local community organizations, university and fish harvesters to address issues such as the lack of access to locally-caught fish and seafood in the province and invite participants to reflect on its implications to food sovereignty, fisheries sustainability and the economy of coastal communities.

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Panellists
• Dr. Gabriela Sabau, Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, Memorial University
• Hana Nelson, Founder, Afishionado
• Isabella Sulpizio, Senior Accounts Specialist, Ocean Wise Seafood
• Jasmine Paul, Apprentice Fish Harvester
• Keith Sullivan, President, Fish, Food & Allied Workers Union (FFAW)
• Kimberly Orren, Co-founder, Fishing for Success

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