By now, many of you have heard of the proposed Pebble Mine. You may know that commercial fishermen, along with Native tribes and sports fishermen, have been battling this proposal for a decade.

What you may not have heard yet is that on July 19th, the EPA announced a proposed action to protect Bristol Bay fisheries by severely limiting the extent of mining that can take place there.

This is the last, best chance for the people of Bristol Bay to prevent devastation of one of the world's biggest salmon runs by industrial mining.

The EPA will be taking public comment on this proposed action until September 19th.

Input from members and supporters of the commercial fishing industry and their supporters around the country will be key to pushing the EPA to stand by its own scientists' advice and finalize the proposed protections for Bristol Bay.

I've worked in the salmon canneries in Bristol Bay for the past seven years. I know first-hand how vital this fishery is to the people of the area. I hope you'll join me in letting the EPA know we want to stop Pebble Mine.

Respectfully,

Sarah Schumann

We'd like to share-

Building community:

Connecting Ferguson to Fishing

The events earlier this month in Ferguson, Missouri prompted our community organizer Brett to write a post connecting racial inequity to NAMA's work on food justice and marine conservation. Brett writes:

"I imagine not everyone reading this will understand why NAMA or any group that works on marine conservation or food justice issues would be discussing racism. But I'm reminded of what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said. 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'"

Influencing policy:

This could be our last chance to save Bristol Bay

The next step in the ongoing fight to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska from the proposed Pebble Mine is to send a message to the EPA, telling them that we support the fishermen of Bristol Bay and we want the EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act and stop the mine from being built.

New Englanders with Alaska fishery connections speak out against Pebble Mine

To show your support, you can sign onto a letter created by the Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay, a coalition of fishermen around the nation who stand in solidarity with their peers in Bristol Bay. Or you can submit an original comment by following the instructions at the EPA's own website.

Transforming Markets:

Food Forward launches with CSF's on PBS

Check out

this series on PBS

that documents the good food movement from inner cities to outer harbors. One of the episodes focuses on CSF's and highlights Dock to Dish. And NAMA's board president Shannon Eldredge is in the trailer!

Coming to PBS in September | Food Forward | PBS Food

Upcoming events:

September always brings great events - and this year is no exception. On September 12-13, a group of us will be returning to the Homegrown Village at

FarmAid. Check out our IndieGoGo campaign to bring a dozen fishermen with us!

We're excited for some fun upcoming Throwdowns. On September 14th, we'll be returning to the Boston Local Food Festival for a Throwdown between chefs from Community Servings and Restaurant Opportunities Center. On the 21st, we'll be up in Unity, Maine for a Throwdown at the Common Ground Fair.

Come Rock the Boat with us on November 7th

at the Armory in Somerville!

What we're reading:

The latest news in food and fisheries

This shellfish and kelp farmer's Op-Ed got us thinking about the parallels between the struggles of farmers and fishermen. Fishing in Gaza. How fishing and offshore wind might co-exist.

Thank you for all you do to support our mission. Catch you next month!

NAMA works with community based fishermen on market and policy alternatives that protect and maintain marine biodiversity.