As we know, not anymore…A Smithsonian.com article about historical marine ecology - the study of fishing artifacts, records, and photographs - illustrates the shrinking of the ocean’s bounty over the last half century.

1957: A half century ago, tourists in Key West routinely caught goliath grouper (the big fish with the big mouths) and large sharks (on the dock). From Smithsonian.com

On Wednesday, the National Organic Standards Board will vote on a rule for labeling fish as “Certified Organic”. To use another hackneyed aquatic term: there are several “schools” of thought on this. An article in the Chicago Tribune explains.

A Hollywood “media project” called Shifting Baselines has created some light yet disturbing public service announcement videos on the subject of ocean conservation. Here’s a favorite of mine:

Wildman from Raleigh, NC has Carolina Sea Trout on the menu for the Amanda Palmer show - what do you consider sustainable seafood where you live?

Wired Magazine has created a mesmerizing graphic about the global food supply - The Future of Food - including a breakdown of costs and benefits of catfish farming.

In that same vein, The Sundance Channel is introducing a new show called Eco Trip:

Everything has an environmental impact. Eating a peanut butter & jelly sandwich may seem like an insignificant and commonplace activity, but in reality there is a huge amount of infrastructure, energy and money required for a person to have the option of eating a PB&J sandwich. This topic is so important that Sundance Channel decided to create a new series specifically to investigate all the environmental impacts of producing products.

We look forward to learning more.

Earlier this year, we met two charming and dedicated filmmakers - Anne de Mare & Kirsten Kelly - who were touring with their spectacular “Asparagus! Stalking The American Life“. We loved the movie, and now love the people of Oceana County, MI.

For 30 years, Oceana County, MI has been the asparagus capital of the world. Now its residents and family farms take on the U.S. “War On Drugs”, Free Trade, and a Fast Food Nation, all to save their beloved “roots”.

Asparagus season, we miss you. You can watch the trailer here

There is a screening of the movie this Friday at 7:30pm at The Pawtucket Film Festival in Pawtucket, RI (the night before another big party that’s keeping us beyond busy)

Other upcoming screenings:

Calvin College Alumni Weekend – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Saturday, September 27, 2008 @ 2:00pm

Fremont District Library Food Series – Fremont, Michigan
Thursday, November 6, 2008 – time TBA

A gorgeous film about the power of growing food while building community.

Feeling disconnected from their food, a filmmaker (Richard Power Hoffman) and his family decide to join a community supported organic farm. As he photographs the growing process, the filmmaker moves from passive observer to active participant in the planting and harvesting of vegetables. Featuring lush time-lapse and macro photography sequences compiled from nearly 20,000 still images, this personal essay is a father’s meditation on his blossoming family and community.

Fridays at the Farm Trailer from Coyopa Productions on Vimeo.