Welcome Summer Interns!
We’re thrilled to have Sutara Nitenson and Renata Massion join the FishWise team as our 2020 summer interns. Sutara is working with the Social Responsibility Division and Renata is supporting both Communications and the Traceability Division. Through past educational and professional experiences, these two students bring diverse expertise to our team. We hope you enjoy learning more about our Sutara and Renata!
Sutara Nitenson
What drew you to sustainable seafood?
I was first introduced to the idea of sustainability in the ocean from a purely conservationist view. My dad, a long time diver, would talk about how the reefs looked nothing like they used to “back in the day.” While the initial discussions never centered around seafood, they always sparked my interest. I have to credit my interest in food systems to growing up in Thailand and seeing the differences in relationships to consumption and production between here and there. I became involved with marine food systems when I was studying at UCSB and working under graduate students researching sustainable aquaculture. The idea that I could study methods of mitigating marine biodiversity collapse and food security got me hooked! Also, the Haenyeo (a group of women divers and fisherpeople in Jeju, Korea) are my idols.
Why do you want to work with FishWise?
I learned about FishWise while I was still studying in Santa Barbara. I saw a lot of disconnection between research, regulation, and stakeholders when I was researching aquaculture, so the idea that an organization communicated with all of these arms seemed substantial. FishWise has many different projects, researchers, and partnerships that I’m excited to learn about and be involved in!
What seafood issues are you passionate about?
While it’s impossible to narrow down the world of seafood to single issues, I’m most interested in the relationships between worker rights, gender equity, and food security, and how these all intertwine with sustainable seafood harvest and production.
What is your favorite seafood?
I love love love cooking shellfish, mussels, and clams especially. Although they may not be the most luxurious seafood, there is a satisfaction that comes with knowing how little input goes into growing them! I cook them the way my grandma taught me to cook clams, throw them over the fire and then, just wait. Best accompanied by a very spicy dipping sauce.
Renata Massion
What drew you to work at FishWise?
I went to the same high school as Tobias and Lara and had always been impressed with the work FishWise was doing. During my undergraduate education, I got really interested in the ways that our society can reconcile corporate interests with our environmental needs. It wasn’t until I took an environmental economics course in my graduate program that I became passionate about working towards sustainable seafood. One of the things I love most about FishWise’s work is the commitment to data and science-driven recommendations to partners. FishWise has a great handle on the balance between idealistic goals and attainable milestones.
What are your hopes for the future of sustainable seafood?
I hope to see a completely traceable and transparent seafood supply chain. When there is no grey area or ability for illegal and unethical practices to go unnoticed, each component of the seafood supply chain is more inclined to provide sustainable products. I also hope to see a more equitable seafood industry across gender, income, race/ethnicity, and many other components.
What are you most passionate about in the realm of traceability and communications?
I believe that science is only as effective as our ability to communicate it. I am lucky to be working cross-divisionally with the traceability and communications teams at FishWise, which is giving me the unique opportunity to contribute to the science as well as the effective communication of that science. I am passionate about the current movement towards informed seafood consumption that is driving the supply chain toward increased transparency. It is inspiring to see the constant innovation pushing the needle toward complete traceability.
What is your favorite ocean activity?
My favorite ocean activity is stand up paddleboarding. It’s a really peaceful experience for me (especially when I can get away from the crowded Santa Cruz beaches). One of my favorite memories is stand up paddleboarding with my dad in Brisbane, Australia. It also has the added benefit of being a great core workout!