62 SEPTEMBER 2024 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG According to Sarah, at the screenings some viewers that are unfamiliar with the seafood industry have “kneejerk, negative” reactions to the films that focus on aquaculture, with some of the most common concerns she hears involving the environment and consumer safety. These events create an atmosphere where aquaculture enthusiasts and skeptics alike are invited to ask questions about the production of seafood and how these farms impact our environment and communities. This docuseries is also available for viewing on Sereia Films’ YouTube channel and on their website. By focusing on these aspects of sustainable seafood, Sereia Films connects the local Florida community with the larger narrative of seafood production and consumption. Understanding this context is crucial since Florida has an incredibly diverse aquaculture industry with over 1,500 species being grown at more than 1,000 certified aquaculture farms (Camp et al., 2020). The team at Sereia Films is working to expand their docuseries to include episodes highlighting lesser-known types of aquaculture. In an upcoming film, they highlight a restorative aquaculture project, which provides direct environmental benefits to the surrounding ecosystem. This episode features restorative sponge aquaculture. Several groups are working to restore sponges in nearshore habitats in the Florida Keys. Restored sponge populations help filter bacteria and particulate matter out of the water column, benefiting nearshore habitats like seagrass beds and coral reefs. The Sereia team hope that by educating people on the diversity of aquaculture operations, the public will have a more well-rounded understanding of the industry and be able to make more informed decisions. Beyond the film screenings, this organization is tackling sustainable seafood education by bringing people that are interested in seafood together at events like “Meet Florida Fish Farmers.” At these events guests can mingle with local aquaculture producers, sample their products, and ask questions about everything that goes into the creation of a sustainable seafood supply chain. Along with this open dialogue, Sarah believes it is important that these events include samplings because getting to taste sustainable seafood can help open people’s eyes to the wide variety of responsibly sourced seafood options that already exist. During a recent discussion, Sarah noted that one of the biggest challenges for Sereia Films is not finding consumers that are interested in more sustainable options, but rather finding and creating resources that can help consumers and restaurants find the products they are looking for. The seafood supply chain, both in the US and around the world, is complicated, meaning that it can be difficult for restaurants and markets to source sustainable products. Sereia Films hopes to continue to be a connector for different folks in the seafood industry by creating resources that teach consumers about where their seafood comes from as well as creating spaces where commercial fishermen, aquaculture producers, chefs, distributors, and others can connect. It is important that there are spaces in our communities where people of different backgrounds and opinions can come together and have in-depth discussions of the environmental and social impacts of the seafood we eat. Going forward, sustainable seafood outreach is vital in addressing the challenges of overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. By educating the public and providing resources, Sereia Films and other organizations promoting sustainable seafood consumption can help to shift consumer behavior towards more sustainable practices. Notes Jazmine Evans,* Social Media Manager & Content Creator, Sereia Films PO Box 1261, Tavernier, FL 33070 USA. * Corresponding author: Jazmineevans00@gmail.com Sarah Curry, Founder and Executive Director, Sereia Films. Personal Communications. May 31, 2024. References Edward Camp, Taryn Garlock, and James Anderson. 2020. Opportunities and Obstacles to Aquaculture Florida. UF IFAS Extension, University of Florida. Environmental Defense Fund. 2021. American Voters’ Views on Aquaculture. 2. Floridians gather at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, FL to watch a screening of a docuseries episode featuring lobstermen from the Florida Keys. Behind the scenes of an upcoming episode of “Eating Out: The Hunt for Sustainable Seafood” featuring Suncoast Tilapia. By educating the public and providing resources, Sereia Films and other organizations promoting sustainable seafood consumption can help to shift consumer behavior towards more sustainable practices.
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