The ocean sustains life on this planet. As we mark World Fisheries Day on November 21, it’s a reminder of how deeply our survival depends on healthy marine fisheries and the seafood industry. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (a federal government agency experiencing decreased funding), Americans eat an average of 20.8 pounds annually per capita, and the seafood industry generates more than $100 billion for the U.S. economy. However, overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and climate change are pushing marine ecosystems to the brink; overfishing is the most pressing of these threats. In the simplest of terms, we are taking more fish from the ocean than it can naturally replace. According to the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, 35.5 percent of the world’s fish stocks are being exploited beyond sustainable limits.
Many of these challenges are complicated. The ocean is vast, deep and out of sight for most people. Humans are terrestrial—we interact with forests, rivers and farmland more directly. But the ocean? It's removed from our daily lives, even though it affects every breath we take, every storm we face and yes, every bite of seafood we enjoy.
Ocean issues often receive less attention in part because they can feel distant from people’s everyday lives. As someone who grew up in a landlocked city, I didn’t see the ocean every day, but I was lucky to visit aquariums and read books that sparked my interest. But most people don’t have that connection. They just see fish neatly packaged in the grocery store, with no idea of where they came from or who caught them. The long and opaque seafood supply chain desensitizes us to the reality that every fillet was once a living part of an ecosystem—and that someone, often a Latino worker, risked their safety to harvest it. This disconnect is a barrier not just to public awareness but to political action. Many decision-makers in government and industry are far removed from the coast. They don’t see the direct impacts of marine degradation on fishing communities.
As a marine biologist and fisheries scientist, I’ve spent my career studying the ocean and working with the people who rely on it to survive. I’ve seen up close how crucial the ocean is to our food systems, and how vital Latinos are to the fishing industry. We are the ones on the boats, in the processing facilities and behind the counters keeping the industry thriving—bringing skill, dedication and experience. Our voices and leadership are essential in the conversations that shape our livelihoods and the health of our ocean.
Latinos bring a wealth of knowledge and cultural connection to the ocean. Many work long hours, speak Spanish as their first language, or come from immigrant backgrounds, experiences that offer valuable perspectives for ocean advocacy and decision-making. Our commitment runs deep: The ocean feeds our families, sustains our traditions and supports our livelihoods. We understand its worth—not just economically, but spiritually and culturally. That’s why Latino leadership is essential to building solutions for a thriving ocean.
It also means broadening our definition of “expertise.” A Latino fisherman with 30 years of experience holds invaluable insight into local environmental and fishing conditions—knowledge that must be respected and included in decision-making. Lived experience is expertise, and the people most connected to the ocean should be co-creators of the solutions that shape its future.
Across the country, Latino leaders are stepping forward–meeting with members of Congress, organizing beach cleanups during Latino Conservation Week and promoting the sustainable seafood guide recommendations in their communities. Caring for the ocean doesn’t require formal credentials or permission; it starts with local action and grows from there.
If we want seafood on our plates in 10, 20, or 50 years, we must act now. World Fisheries Day is the best time to begin. That means protecting marine ecosystems and protecting the people whose work sustains them. Latinos are not just part of the seafood economy—we are driving it, and our leadership belongs at every table where decisions about the ocean are made.
Dr. Camila Cáceres is a marine biologist, fishery scientist and member of Hispanic Access Foundation’s Conservation Network.