Two on fishing and the oceans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43DuLcBFxoY

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_barber_how_i_fell_in_love_with_a_fish.html

Unfortunately, when buying fresh fish, there are too few fish mongers who can answer questions about the origin of the fish you want to buy with the exception of a few like Frank, at Citerella's I have yet to speak with a knowledgeable fish monger.

Also, the requirement by fish sellers to display a sign stating where the fish originates is not being enforced.

Recently I've been purchasing fish from the local fish stalls at the Greenmarkets. The scallops have been delicious -- sweet and fresh. I'm sold -- except for salmon I may never purchase fish anywhere else.

I was told by an Ichthyologist who taught at Harvard that the oceans are so polluted nowadays that farmed fish have less contamination than ocean fish.

I read there used to be lots of sturgeon in the Hudson. What's going on now with local NYC caviar?

Seafood Watch from the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a great iPhone App for quick reference on seafood sources and safety.

Tragically, the only real solution to our fish problem is just to eat less fish. Our ocean ecosystems are collapsing due to over-fishing by giant commercial operations and fish farming has huge ecological problems. The American appetite for fish is just too big to be solved by "locavore" type efforts.

"2 pounds of Gowanus shramp. Toss in a side salad of Billyburg organic sidewalk crack greens. And do you have any of your local carbonated leaded tap water? BQE brand, please."