Passionfish Contact: Patti Parisi, ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH...GREEN FISH?! PASSIONFISH EXHIBITS AT SAN FRANCISCO'S GREEN FESTIVAL, NOV 9-10 Oakland, CA - November 02, 2002 Passionfish will be participating in the Green Festival at San Francisco's Concourse Exhibition Center West Hall, November 9-10. Meet us at booth #203 to hear how Passionfish promotes consumer-powered conservation. Starting in 2003, Passionfish will be hosting a series of lively public education forums on the volatile issues of seafood and fishery sustainability. The Passionfish forums will be convened throughout California and across the North American West Coast, including Canada, Alaska and Hawaii. The regional forums will be preceded and followed by online forums to catalyze discussions among stakeholders. The non-profit's mission is to foster dialogue and create partnerships in support of understanding and solving fishery conservation issues. The annual Green Festival, co-produced by Global Exchange, Co-Op America, and Bioneers, helps people discover how to take control of social-economic and environmental sustainability. The weekend festival features 50 speakers, 200 exhibits, live entertainment and organic cuisine. The exhibits include environmental careers, socially responsible investing, fair trade, community action, natural home and garden, eco-fashion, natural health and body, and indigenous goods. Of 200 exhibits, Passionfish is the only organization on sustainable fisheries and seafood, and will include information from its partner, Marine Stewardship Council (www.msc.org), "the best environmental choice in seafood." To support its cause, Passionfish will be selling its canvas tote bags and ball caps with the organization's snazzy logo and tagline, "brainfood for seafood lovers." Passionfish brings together leading seafood and conservation executives to save fisheries without sacrificing profit. "Our agenda is sustainability; we don't want fishermen or aquaculture to become endangered any more than we do fish. We get to this point through in-depth conversations and unique collaborations," says Carl Rebstock, Executive Director. "Market-based approaches that make money can also make a difference environmentally." Passionfish is the only non-partisan nonprofit integrating diverse interests to address complex fishery issues through inclusive forums and innovative collaborations. The Passionfish approach builds trust by getting people talking to one another who otherwise would not. "Polarization between, and even sometimes within, stakeholder groups impedes progress," Rebstock says. "Passionfish endeavors to defuse this with candor and humor. We are a way for responsible people and organizations to navigate through the current morass of public opinion. And at the end of the day, at the end of each forum, we host a party -- a big celebration of seafood. Seafood we all agree everyone should enjoy for generations to come." Passionfish was founded in 2000 to confront the crises in marine fisheries. Its inventive approach includes forums that reveal common ground amid contention, feasts that celebrate seafood, broadcasts that build awareness, and books that highlight the efforts of many people who are working hard to save the seas. The organization is accepting donations to support its campaign. Contact Passionfish at (510) 593-5188 or info@passionfish.org. The San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center is located downtown at 635 8th Street (at Brannan). Passionfish Executives are available for interviews during the Show. Visit Booth #203. The festival runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, November 9, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, November 10. See www.greenfestivals.com for a complete agenda, or pick up programs at Global Exchange stores, Cody's Books, Book Passage, and coffee shops throughout the Bay Area. The Green Festival is sponsored by Saybrook Graduate School & Research Center, New Dimensions Foundation, Alice Radio 97.3, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Mother Jones, Body & Soul, Utne, Natural Home, and SustainableBusiness.com. Don't delay, be a green fish today! Visit Passionfish at www.passionfish.org! Passionfish: www.passionfish.org |