Taste education, one of the themes of Slow Fish 2009, is vital to the construction of a future in which food is once again nourishing, available to all, safe, delicious and priced fairly. As with fruit and vegetables, the best way to choose the right fish for your plate is to follow the principles of local and seasonal. Because of its taste and nutrition properties, seafood is an important food group in a healthy and balanced diet.

This is why the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies promotes awareness-raising campaigns to spread the culture of the sea and fishing, particularly among younger generations, and to increase understanding of the importance that the sea and its resources have for our future and our children’s future. In this context, we must not forget the value of the fishing trade and Italy’s 14,000-plus fishing boats.

It is specifically to protect this heritage and the work of Italian fishermen that we wanted to extend to the seafood sector the principle of zero tolerance towards adulteration, agropiracy and smuggling of food, a principle that has driven this first year in government. At the end of 2008, the Italian coastguard seized 160 tons of poorly conserved or unlabelled fish, destined for restaurants and wholesalers. This was a confirmation that the “zero-tolerance era” helps not just to protect citizens’ right to health and the work of honest producers, but also plays a role in spreading greater respect for the law and an improved culture of legality.

Many factors – such as pollution and illegal fishing – contribute to the impoverishment of our seas, and awareness of these issues can no longer be limited to just an environmentalist elite. Today we must all return to playing our part in the protection and promotion of marine resources by being responsible consumers. At the moment of purchase, we must prioritize quality, seasonality and fish caught with respect for the sea and the environment. In restaurants we must choose flavors and foods that have a story to tell instead of standardized products.

Responsible consumption is the first step towards preserving biodiversity, the environment and marine resources; an act of responsibility that no one can avoid any longer. We must take responsibility for ourselves and for the generations to come.