CTCT-20181130_165358_0
From the Pacific Northwest to New England, we're uniting with fishermen and farmers coast to coast.
Over the past two months, we've continued to rally and organize against corporate greed both on land and at sea. We worked alongside and in partnership with fellow food justice change-makers and continued to pressure NOAA to act in the best interest of the public, as in the case of Carlos "Codfather" Rafael. Throughout our travels, we've helped bring family farmers and fishermen together to build solidarity in their shared experiences and struggles. And over the course of the rest of year, we will continue to fight against corporate takeover, strive for racial equity, embrace and push for values that support food justice, and build economic power.
RECENT SPOTLIGHTS
Fighting Corporate Takeover!
NAMA issued a statement on NOAA's settlement of the Carlos "Codfather" Rafael case and the resulting divestiture of his assets. The future of the New England groundfish fishery is riding on the Codfather's negotiations with potential buyers, which include a subsidiary of a hedge fund. We are calling for NOAA to publicly disclose all the criteria that it is using to evaluate proposed deals , and to publicize all final sales, including the names of buyers and the amounts paid. We are also urging NOAA to act in the best interests of the public and our fisheries when reviewing proposed transactions, and seize the final opportunity to prevent Wall Street investors from controlling fisheries access indefinitely.
Don’t Cage Our Ocean Coalition briefing
An awesome group of fishermen and advocates from Alaska, California, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Massachusetts converged on the nation's capital last month. We spent two epic days together meeting with congressional staffers to discuss all the reasons why keeping industrial fish farms out of federal waters is a no-brainer. We dined al fresco at The Salt Line restaurant where we enjoyed the finest seafood courtesy of Chef Kyle Bailey. Lastly, we hosted a well-attended briefing on Capitol Hill on "The Truth about Offshore Aquaculture," followed by a reception celebrating the launch of the Don't Cage Our Ocean coalition. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event a success!

We're Calling On Aramark to Prioritize People Over Profits
Together with our fellow coalition members we held a rally at Aramark headquarters last week and delivered over 100,000 petition signatures . The petition’s message is clear: Stop placing profits over people and the planet, and prioritize a more just and sustainable business model. See the press release with quote from NAMA’s board member and commercial fisherman, Jason Javis. Plus watch NAMA’s Julianna DiTomasso speak at the rally . The Community Coalition for Real Meals is an intergenerational, multiracial group of farmers, fishers, ranchers, activists, students, and food workers. If you're interested with reading more about the #RealMealsMovement check out this write-up.
Local Seafood Summit Makes a Splash
We helped take part and organize the 3rd #LocalSeafoodSummit2019 in Portland, OR. Over 150 fishermen, seafood businesses, and advocates from across the country and internationally came together for two days of workshops, visioning, and strengthening our movement for values-based seafood businesses. Check out the coverage in National Fisherman . Also, following the Summit, NAMA’s Brett Tolley traveled to Amsterdam with Local Catch co-founder Josh Stoll to kick-off a partnership with the international network - Urgenci - to spread the movement to Europe .
Farm Aid Unites Farmers & Fish Harvesters
This year’s Farm Aid crew included fishermen from the east coast, west coast, Alaska, gulf, and great lakes. Plus, we were lucky to have FLC folks like lunch lady rockstar Jenny Devivo and author of the Food Activist’s Handbook Ali Berlow join us. During the event we helped lead tours, showcased our own exhibit, served seafood ( Sitka Salmon Shares woot!) and of course, connected with fellow change-makers, activists, and family farmers. One of the most impactful moments was witnessing family fishermen and farmers come together in solidarity to defend our oceans and farmland from corporate takeover. #WhoFishesMatters
On the Road to the Pacific Northwest
We hit the road again as part of our America the Bountiful tour series visiting fish harvesters, tribal leaders, community activists, and seafood system change makers. We heard from values-based seafood businesses like She Nah Nam who are a fisher-led business working to challenge the idea of a traditional fish market that commoditizes seafood and pays little to the producers.
 More stories from the road coming soon.
UPCOMING EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS
Sneak Peak at this Year’s NAMA Ornament
Our good friend and accomplice Madeleine Hall-Arber is up to her elbows in clay hand-crafting a new 2019 NAMA ornament! This year’s ornament features the Puffer Fish to symbolize how NAMA’s work expands the movement fighting the corporate takeover of our ocean.  
We’re pleased to announce that ornaments will be given as THANK YOU GIFTS for folks making a $100 donation to NAMA during our Year-End Giving Campaign.

Our Year-End Giving Campaign kicks off on November 26 and runs through the end of 2019. If you’d like to get a little bit closer to this cuddly Puffer Fish, mark your calendars and please support our work by making a gift of $100*.
*While supplies last