Summer may be ending, but the socio-political dimensions of seafood never really go away. As (hungry) consumers, we rarely stop to think about how our seafood lives, how it’s caught, or who’s doing the catching — the taste is usually what’s top of mind, not the story behind it. This isn’t a call to stop eating seafood, but a reminder that there’s always more to it below the surface!
So the next time you’re eyeing a seafood tower, remember: What’s on the plate is never just about flavor — it’s shaped by biology, gear, geography, and policy fights playing out far from the table.
Elle Wibisono is the Technical Director of the Blue Lab at Georgetown SFS Asia-Pacific. A fishery scientist and science communicator, she has worked across international NGOs, government, and coastal communities — bringing together perspectives on how people and the ocean shape each other. Elle is the author of A Snapper Tale, a children's book on the surprising diversity of red-colored snappers, and occasionally publishes fish comics at @fishtory.co. Her current work sits at the intersection of art, science, and policy — finding ways to create real impact for communities and nature.
If we really want to save children’s lives and help struggling mothers, we must invest our money and energy into food, health care, security, and dignity that they deserve.
