Ocean fisheries are global in scale, and their demise involves some of the most challenging issues confronting humanity as we enter the 21st century population pressures, poverty, national sovereignty, world trade patterns and limits to growth. The examples chosen in Program 3 are selected because they offer positive proof that ocean fisheries can be restored and that the participation of viewers and consumers makes a difference. The final episode of Empty Oceans, Empty Nets explores some of the extraordinary efforts of the fishing industry, scientists and 'ordinary' citizens to avert the crisis of the oceans. Program Three begins in a very well-stocked retail fishmarket in Seattle. The seafood products and fish species displayed include some local varieties, but nearly half the seafood has been flown in from distant locations around the world.
Some products have unknown origins.
Broad-based public support for the restoration of fisheries is now showing up in the marketplace. Roger Berkowitz, owner of Legal Seafood stores and restaurants in New England, says that for him selling this kind of seafood is a business decision because he wants to still be in business in 20 years. Chefs Stan Frankenthaler and Nora Pouillon comment on why they take so much care in selecting the seafood on their restaurants' menus. Margaret Wittenberg, VP for Whole Foods, compares the emerging eco-labels for seafood with the organic produce industry. Just as the growing demand for organic produce helped encourage more farmers to grow crops without chemicals, she says the demand for sustainably-produced seafood is helping fishermen to change the ways they fish.