Opposition to industrial fishing can be a tough sell because the public can't see under the waves, the destruction of fish stocks, coral reefs and ocean habitats are hidden from view and documenting the effects of industrial fishing is hard to capture and quantify. As the Global High Seas Marine Preserve kicks off their new sustainable seafood campaign, the 50 Sustainable Seafood Cities Campaign, the non-profit's founder has begun to do radio shows during which all the major issues involving ocean health are often discussed. Danny Quintana, founder of GHSMP, appeared on the James Lowe Jiggy Jaguar Radio Show and the topic of the Seafood Watch App, created by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, was brought up by Quintana to encourage consumers to get involved and demand seafood from sustainable sources as a step towards forcing change in industrial fishing practices. The establishment of THE Global High Seas Marine Preserve, founding premise of the organization, is based on banning on industrial fishing in international waters and a multi-nation maritime military task force enforcing the ban.

But in order to kick down the door GHSMP is taking the view that if enough consumers demand sustainable seafood then industrial fishing outfits, many government subsidized, will have no choice but to alter their business models. Danny Quintana said as much to James Lowe by noting that if people stop buying a particular fish then companies will longer have any reason to catch that particular fish. In the short video below Danny Quintana gives a succinct appraisal of why people should download the Seafood Watch and get involved on the Consumer Level, after all Consumer Power is Dollar Power and that is Real Power!

Seafood Watch has been downloaded 1.5 million times and gives consumers awesome power with timely and geographic information on sustainable seafood all over the country.

The GHSMP came from the publication of Danny Quintana's latest book, Space & Ocean Exploration: The Alternative to the Military-Industrial Complex, which put forth the premise of diverting U.S. Defense spending to ocean and space research. During the writing of book, Quintana was shocked that the ocean crisis was much worse than he believed and this in turn gave rise the organization. Large top-of-the-food-chain marine predators like tuna, sharks and whales are being rapidly fished out of existence and the vast ocean ecosystems they help support will suffer in kind. About 100-million sharks are being slaughtered annually for their fins while tuna stocks are hovering on the edge of collapse as cruise ship size trawlers decimate the oceans by scooping up millions of tons of marine life in nets big enough to fit two 747 jumbo jets.   

In order for the public to get better educated on the Seafood Watch app from the Monterey Bay Aquarium we have included the video above and FAQs from their website below. It should also be noted that they value feedback and comments at seafoodwatch@mbayaq.org.  See the handy regional guides that are downloadable in PDF form at http://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations/consumer-guides.

What is the Seafood Watch App from Monterey Bay Aquarium?

Our app brings the most current scientific recommendations to your fingertips, so you can make sustainable seafood choices quickly and easily—whether you're eating at your favorite restaurant or shopping for dinner. You can also locate sustainable seafood near you at restaurants or businesses that partner with Seafood Watch.

The app can be downloaded for free on the App Store? and installed on any iPhone® with version 7.0 or later of the operating system (iOS). The app will work on the iPad® and iPod touch® 5G, although it hasn't been optimized for these platforms. The app can also be downloaded for free on Google Play and installed on any Android phone with version 4.0 or later of the operating system.

How do I get the Seafood Watch App?

The Seafood Watch app is free and can be downloaded on the App Store and on Google Play. To run the app you'll need iPhone operating system (iOS) 7.0 or later, or an Android phone with version 4.0 or later of the operating system. The app will work on the iPad and the iPod touch 5G, although it hasn't been optimized for these platforms.

What's the difference between the Seafood Watch App and the Seafood Watch mobile website?

The Seafood Watch website is accessed through a web browser and can be accessed by any device with a live internet connection. The app offers the same features as the mobile site, plus an additional search feature that enables you to locate restaurants and stores near you that serve sustainable seafood and provides their locations on a map for directions.

What does the Seafood Watch App have?

Provides free, up-to-date recommendations at your fingertips with detailed seafood information

Enables you to search for seafood quickly and easily by common market name

Sushi guide lists fish by Japanese name as well as common market name

Gives you locations of nearby restaurants and businesses that serve ocean-friendly seafood

How to I use the Seafood Watch App?

Access seafood and sushi recommendations by typing seafood names into the search field. Tap the "Find Seafood Near You" button in the menu to locate restaurants and businesses that serve sustainable seafood.

How to you make recommendations?

Our recommendations consider the fishery, habitat, species, management and a host of other factors that affect each species. Our scientists research government reports, journal articles and white papers. They also contact fishery and fish farm experts. After a thorough review, we apply our sustainability standards to develop an in-depth Seafood Watch assessment which is reviewed by experts from academia, government and the seafood industry. Our seafood recommendations are based on these assessments.

How do I use the Seafood Watch recommendations?

Buy "Best Choice" recommendations first, they're well managed and caught or farmed in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife. You can also buy "Good Alternative" recommendations but be aware there are concerns with how they're caught or farmed. Don't buy "Avoid" recommendations because they're overfished or caught or farmed in ways that harm other marine life or the environment.

How do I get updates to the recommendations?

Updates to the Seafood Watch recommendations are made automatically when you launch the app so you'll always have latest recommendations.

What devices will the Seafood Watch App work on?

iOS: The Seafood Watch app is compatible with any iPhone with version 7.0 or later of the operating system (iOS). You can determine what version of the operating system you have by going to Settings -> General -> About -> Version on your device, or plugging your device into your computer and viewing its summary page. The app will also work on the iPad and iPod touch 5G, although it has not been optimized for these platforms; the iPod touch must be connected to Wi-Fi.

Android: The app is compatible with Android phones with version 4.0 or later of the operating system. You can determine what version of the operating system you have by going to Settings -> About Device -> Android Version on your Android phone.

How much the Seafood Watch App cost?

The Seafood Watch app is free. Note that if your device uses a cellular network (rather than a wireless network) to download data, you may be charged usage rates.

Can I use the Seafood Watch App offline or in Airplane Mode?

Yes, the app is designed to store Seafood Watch recommendations locally on your device so you can access them even if you're in Airplane Mode (wireless features disabled) or with no network connectivity. However, you need a live internet connection to search for businesses.

Can I use the Seafood Watch App on the road?

Yes, the Seafood Watch app stores recommendations on your device so you can view them at any time. You can also use the app to find restaurants and businesses that serve sustainable seafood near you while on the road. Please note that the app will update its recommendations and Seafood Watch Partners list for your location—if your device uses a cellular network (rather than a wireless network), you may be charged usage rates to download the data. As an alternative, you can use the Seafood Watch app offline or in Airplane Mode.

For media interviews contact E.B. GO Vision Media at c@ebgoinc.com.