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Adrift in a Sea of Information about Sustainable Seafood: The Maine Consumer Perspective

could be made that seafood is more important in Maine than the rest of the nation, with the concentration of employment in the fishing sector 14 times that of any other state (NMFS 2010a; Rose 2004). “Fishing” relates to more than just the 30,000 jobs supported by the wild harvest and aquaculture industry (NMFS 2010b). The harvest of sustenance from tidal rivers, bays, and the ocean is also integral to coastal Maine’s cultural identity. The fishing industry, heritage and identity, in turn, make coastal Maine attractive to tourists. Tourism actually is Maine’s largest industry, in terms of total employment (Rose 2004), and eating lobster is one of the most desired experiences among visitors, in addition to visiting coastal villages and beaches (Longwoods International 2005). Fortunately for Maine’s fishing communities, demand for “sustainable,”1 local, and healthy seafood has increased, reflecting national trends in food interest and concern. But unfortunately for consumers, understanding the complicated and often conflicting information about seafood remains a challenge, despite multiple efforts designed to help seafood consumers make decisions. This paper reviews the sources of seafood information available to Maine consumers and presents the results of a comparative analysis of several sustainable seafood guides and the information presented on fish and shellfish species that are grown or landed in Maine. This information is then compared to fishery status as reported by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and to local efforts to promote fisheries as sustainable. The implications for seafood consumers extend to the sustainability of Maine’s coastal communities.