Gulf Oil Spill Effects on Sustainability

The United States’ worst oil spill in history will undoubtedly have far-reaching effects, geographically and over time. The Gulf of Mexico ecosystem has been disrupted and will face fundamental changes for the foreseeable future. SOP breaks down the spill’s effects on the sustainability of domestic fisheries.
The Deepwater Horizon spill impacts fisheries directly through lethal [...]

Is Farm-Raised Seafood Sustainable or Not? (Part 2)

When evaluating whether a particular fish farm is sustainable or not, it is helpful to think about where the operation is located within the environment. Each location has its own set of pros and cons. Following up on Part 1, SOP peels away the next layer to help answer the complex question of whether your [...]

Maine Fishermen Think Outside the Net

Fishermen are among the most innovative people in the world. They have to be in order to make a living and survive as an industry. The Midcoast Fishermen’s Cooperative is changing the way they do business with an eye toward sustainability of their livelihood and the resources on which they depend. SOP sat down [...]

What is Sustainable Seafood?

So far, SOP has tried to convince you that the sustainable seafood movement is a legitimate social development. Along the way, some of you may have asked, “What exactly is sustainable seafood?” Let’s take a step back for a quick schooling.
Sustainable seafood is complex and dynamic issue. SOP does not expect seafood consumers [...]

Top 10 Misunderstood Terms in Fisheries Management

Fishery/fisheries: The industry or industries dedicated to the catching, processing, and selling of fish, shellfish, or other aquatic animals; not a hatchery.
Management/Managers: Taking action to regulate the behavior of fishermen and therefore affect a fish population to achieve certain objectives, such as maximizing the harvest of fish while allowing the population to replenish itself. [...]

What we do...

Sustainable Ocean Project (SOP) brings you inspiring stories and easy to understand information about a growing sustainable and local seafood movement that we all should be a part of.