Globally acclaimed chefs unite to “SAVE THE OCEANS: FEED THE WORLD”

Twenty chefs from some of the world’s best restaurants from Massimo Bottura to Ashley Palmer-Watts are to publically announce their commitment to OCEANA’s global campaign, Save the Oceans: Feed the World.  The official launch will take place in San Sebastian, Spain, on Tuesday 17th of March 2015, at an exclusive event to be held at the Basque Culinary Centre.

Hosted by chefs Andoni Luiz Aduriz of Mugaritz and Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca – Spain, the attending chefs will be: Ferran Adrià (elBulli Foundation, Spain); Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana, Italy); Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park, USA); Ashley Palmer-Watts (Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, UK); Alex Atala (D.O.M., Brazil); Juan Mari and Elena Arzak (Arzak, Spain), Pedro Subijana (Akela?e, Spain); Grant Achatz (Alinea, USA); Brett Graham (The Ledbury, UK); Joachim Wissler (Vendôme, Germany); Heinz Reitbauer (Steirereck, Austria); Gastón Acurio (Astrid y Gastón, Peru); Enrique Olvera (Pujol, Mexico); Rodolfo Guzmán (Boragó, Chile); Normand Laprise (Toqué, Canada); José Luis González (Gallery Vask, Philippines); René Redzepi (Noma, Denmark) who will be unable to attend the event in San Sebastian on March 17, but has also pledged his support for the campaign.

Andoni Luiz Aduriz said: “It is truly amazing that so many prominent chefs who are so hectically busy, are coming to San Sebastian on March 17.  Chefs feel passionately about the importance of wild seafood, not just on the small scale and what it brings to our kitchens, but also because of its importance to the planet.  I think we all just deeply feel the need to support this campaign and help make the oceans abundant again.”

Oceana is campaigning worldwide to save the oceans and feed the world. Scientists have documented the decline of wild fishing stocks in the global oceans. But, the good news is that just 30 countries control over 90 percent of all the seafood caught in the world. Oceana and its allies are already winning policy victories in many of these countries. The group estimates that if proven policy changes that stop overfishing, limit bycatch and protect habitat are passed in the top seafood countries, there would be enough seafood to provide one billion people a healthy seafood meal each day.

The event will open with the premiere screening of the short film documentary “The Perfect Protein” by Jorge Martínez, featuring the chefs discussing their support of ocean conservation and passion for the sea and its seafood.  This will be followed by remarks by Oceana CEO Andrew F. Sharpless who will speak on how ocean conservation is uniquely positioned to increase biodiversity and abundance ultimately resulting in more seafood to help feed the world.

The chefs and Sharpless will then participate in an open Q&A with attending journalists and audience.