Report on the Mi Fresh Fish Fest and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The second annual Mi Fresh Fish Fest, held at the Houghton Pier, served as a significant platform for public education and engagement concerning local fisheries and sustainable aquaculture. The event, organized by Michigan Sea Grant, directly addressed several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating themes of environmental stewardship, economic viability, community health, and education.

Advancing Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Life Below Water (SDG 14)

A primary objective of the festival was to promote sustainable food systems by highlighting the benefits of local aquaculture and commercial fishing over imported seafood, which constitutes 90% of U.S. consumption. This focus directly supports SDG 12 by encouraging responsible consumption patterns and shortening supply chains.

• Aquaculture Demonstration: A key exhibit featured a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) presented by Sea Grant Minnesota. This technology exemplifies sustainable production by minimizing water loss and filtering waste, offering a viable method for raising local fish for food and stocking purposes. This practice helps alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks, contributing to the conservation goals of SDG 14.
• Local Sourcing: The event served walleye raised at the Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility, providing a tangible example of high-quality, farm-raised fish. This initiative aimed to shift public perception and demonstrate that aquaculture can produce food that is both healthy and sustainable.
• Fisheries Research: Michigan Technological University presented research crucial for the sustainable management of Great Lakes ecosystems. Studies on fish otoliths to analyze climate change impacts on fish growth and population surveys of unregulated species like burbot provide critical data for informed resource management, aligning with the objectives of SDG 14.

Promoting Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health (SDG 3), and Quality Education (SDG 4)

The festival integrated health, nutrition, and education, underscoring the interconnectedness of these development goals.

1. Nutrition and Well-being: A partnership with Copper Country Mental Health and Western U.P. Food Systems highlighted the role of fish as a healthy dietary choice and its connection to overall physical and mental well-being. This collaboration supports SDG 3 by promoting healthy lifestyles and normalizing access to health services within the community.
2. Public Education: The event was fundamentally an educational initiative (SDG 4). The Mi Fresh Fish Sail on the schooner Inland Seas educated participants on fish identification and invasive species. Booths and activities provided information on the Great Lakes food web, the environmental impact of historical industries like logging, and the science behind fisheries management.
3. Youth Engagement: The Junior Angler Program, a collaboration between the Keweenaw National Historical Park and the Calumet-Keweenaw Sportsmen’s Club, engaged children with educational fishing games. This effort fosters an early interest in conservation and sustainable practices among the next generation.

Strengthening Local Economies and Partnerships (SDG 8 & SDG 17)

The festival underscored the importance of collaboration and the economic value of local natural resources.

• Economic Awareness: Organizers emphasized that many residents are unaware of the existence of local commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The event served to raise the profile of these sectors, which contribute to decent work and local economic growth (SDG 8).
• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The success of the event was a testament to effective partnerships (SDG 17). It brought together a diverse group of organizations, including academic institutions (Michigan State University, Michigan Tech), government-affiliated bodies (Michigan Sea Grant), non-profits, and community health organizations, all working toward shared sustainability objectives.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article highlights aquaculture, or fish farming, as a method to produce local food. The Mi Fresh Fish Fest served walleye that was raised in the Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility, showcasing a sustainable food production system. This directly connects to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The collaboration with Copper Country Mental Health is mentioned, with the goal of “normalizing mental health and spreading that mental health services are for everybody.” Additionally, the event promotes fish as a “healthy dietary choice,” contributing to well-being through nutrition.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• A primary goal of the festival is to “educate the public on local fisheries, fish biology and studies” and “address misconceptions or misinformation.” Specific educational activities included the Mi Fresh Fish Sail, demonstrations by Michigan Tech students on the Lake Superior food web, and the Junior Angler Program’s fish identification game for children.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article emphasizes sustainable production through aquaculture. The recirculating aquaculture system displayed is described as a “sustainable way to raise local fish” with “little if any water lost.” The event also promotes consuming local fish to reduce reliance on imported seafood, which constitutes 90% of the seafood in the U.S., thereby encouraging more sustainable consumption patterns.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The event and associated research focus on the health and understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem. This includes discussions on invasive species like the sea lamprey, studies on the Lake Superior food web, research into burbot populations and genetics, and observing the effects of climate change on fish growth through otoliths. These activities contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…” The article’s focus on aquaculture, particularly the demonstration of a recirculating system that efficiently uses water and raises local fish, directly supports the implementation of sustainable food production systems.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The promotion of fish as a “healthy dietary choice” aligns with disease prevention, and the explicit involvement of Copper Country Mental Health to “normalize mental health” directly addresses the promotion of mental health and well-being.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The entire festival is an exercise in education for sustainable development, teaching the public about sustainable aquaculture, local food systems, and the biology of the Great Lakes. The Junior Angler Program specifically targets children to raise interest and provide education.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles…” The event’s stated purpose is to “educate the public,” “raise awareness of local commercial fishing,” and “address misconceptions,” which directly contributes to this target by informing consumers about sustainable local options.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems…” Although the date has passed, the principle is relevant. The research presented at the festival on the Lake Superior food web, invasive species, and fish populations contributes to the knowledge base needed to sustainably manage the Great Lakes ecosystem.
• Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and implement science-based management plans…” The research by PhD student Greyson Wolf on burbot populations, genetics, diet, and angler perceptions is a foundational step toward creating science-based management plans for a species that is currently unregulated by the DNR.
• Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…” The article showcases this target through the involvement of Michigan Tech students and PhD candidates conducting research on fish otoliths and burbot genetics. The demonstration of the recirculating aquaculture system is a direct example of transferring technology and knowledge to the public.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Implied Indicator for Target 2.4: The promotion and demonstration of advanced aquaculture systems. The article describes a “recirculating aquaculture system” that reuses water, representing a tangible example of a sustainable food production practice being implemented and promoted.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: The number of community partnerships promoting health. The collaboration between the Western U.P. Food Systems and Copper Country Mental Health at the event serves as a qualitative indicator of efforts to integrate mental and physical health promotion.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Mentioned/Implied Indicators for Target 4.7: The number of public educational events and the number of participants. The article mentions the “Mi Fresh Fish Fest” as a second-year event with a “large turnout.” It also details specific educational programs like the “Mi Fresh Fish Sail” and the “Junior Angler Program,” which could be counted to measure progress.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Mentioned Indicator for Target 12.8: Public awareness of local food sources. The article states a key goal is to address the fact that “Many people do not know we have commercial fishing in the Great Lakes, or aquaculture in Michigan.” An increase in this awareness, measured perhaps by surveys or event feedback, would be an indicator of progress.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Mentioned Indicators for Target 14.a: The number of active research projects and student involvement. The article explicitly mentions two research projects from Michigan Tech: one on fish otoliths and climate change, and another on burbot population, genetics, and diet, involving a student (Quinn Angus) and a PhD student (Greyson Wolf).
• Implied Indicator for Target 14.4: Collection of data for fisheries management. The angler surveys conducted by Greyson Wolf regarding burbot are a direct data collection effort to inform future science-based management of the species.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

Source: miningjournal.net