Brooklyn, NY, August 1, 2012 - This video, shot and edited by documentary filmmaker Rick Morris, offers highlights from a mid-July 2012 seafood throwdown at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, NY. This "seafood throwdown," a collaboration between Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA), GrowNYC/Greenmarket and New York Sea Grant, was a unique cooking competition that emphasized the importance of local seafood in restoring a healthy ocean ecosystem.

New York Sea Grant's part was working to increase awareness about the role of fishermen in feeding New Yorkers. Antoinette Clemetson, Fisheries Specialist said “Fishermen share many commonalities with small farmers and we are seeking ways to work with fishing businesses to establish community supported fisheries programs such as those models that have been successfully applied on small farms.”

Of his video, Morris said, "When I heard about this Seafood Throwdown being held at the Greenmarket in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza, I offered to shoot it and edit a short film in support of the sponsoring organizations, NY Sea Grant, NAMA and Grow NY."

Of the reason why he took on the project, Morris added, "I got back into TV by producing, shooting and editing documentaries in support of the planet and environment ... If we don't start to live sustainably we are lost along with the planet itself."

For more on this and other "Seafood Throwdown" events that Sea Grant is involved in, check out the "News/Topics" page at www.nyseagrant.org/marinefish.