#sustainably caught seafood

[silverfished]

i have such a weird flavour of autism bc like one of my major special interests is fish and especially fish as food but i dont. eat seafood. ill be obsessively reading about anchovies and surimi and watching masaru like a documentary but i dont fuck with the commercial fishing industry so i cant have any

[quinlanbrosca]

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[daymemebeliever]

Hey Fanguins! Want to Help Real Life Penguins? :D

Why Now?

5 out of the 18 penguin species are listed as endangered

That’s approximately 28% that are endangered, not including those under the “vulnerable” or “near threatened” statuses.

These endangered species include:

The Yellow-eyed Penguin

Northern Rockhopper Penguin

Galapagos Penguin

Erect-Crested Penguin

African Penguin

Cute little guys like these African penguins are predicted to go EXTINCT by 2035.

Biggest Threats to Penguins:

Overfishing

Plastic Pollution

Oil Spills

Habitat Disruption

Invasive Species

Climate Change

So… What can We Do?

I know sometimes it seems hopeless when there are major corporations having extensive negative impacts on the environment.

But there are small, everyday changes you may be able to make to contribute for the better (at least a little).

Small actions can add up over time.

Shop Consciously

Overfishing and unregulated fishing are big contributors to penguin populations decreasing.

Less available prey means penguins have to spend longer time at sea to feed their chicks and themselves. This could force them to abandon their chicks, reach the point of exhaustion and pass away as a result, or return to emaciated chicks.

Seafood Watch is a wonderful resource to ensure the seafood you’re buying has been caught sustainably. https://www.seafoodwatch.org/recommendations/download-consumer-guides

Swap for More Sustainable Options

Aside from seafood, you might be able to make many swaps to reusable products.

Reusable grocery bags/tote bags can actually make transporting groceries easier while reducing plastic usage.

If you have access to clean water, a water filter pitcher or a reusable water bottle are also great options when available! 😊

Swapping plastic containers for aluminum cans or cartons (these are easier to recycle)

Swap balloons for other party favors (many released balloons end up in our oceans). Penguins and other sea animals can choke on or get tangled in these while swimming.

Conscious Pet Ownership

Choose pets responsibly and never abandon a pet if you can no longer take care of it. This could lead to the rise of invasive species.

Keep pets on a leash when outside even when you do not see local wildlife.

Penguins, especially those whose habits are around human populations, are regularly attacked and lethally injured by unattended dogs or cats. These include feral or stray animals that have become invasive.

Learn More Directly from Non-Profits:

SANCCOB is an internationally renowned rehabilitation center for South African seabirds (including African penguins) leading conservation efforts for this species. https://sanccob.co.za/about-sanccob/

The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust is another great non-profit located in New Zealand that tracks behavior and nesting patterns of the Yellow-eyed penguins. They also remove invasive predators to ensure Yellow-eyed penguins have a chance at repopulating to sustainable levels. https://www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/yellow-eyed-penguin-trust/about-the-trust/

Penguins International is a nonprofit that educates about penguins and penguin conservation efforts. https://www.penguinsinternational.org/about-us/

Any AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums that support conservation efforts

Advocate:

Sign petitions encouraging legislation change that aims to reduce climate change or regulate fishing

Write to/email legislators when penguin species are at risk

Donate (if you can/would like):

Both Penguins International and SANCCOB do symbolic penguin adoptions to support penguin conservation.

On SANCCOB’s website, you can choose an egg, hatchling, rehabilitated penguin, or long-term penguin resident to symbolically adopt/sponsor. You even get to give your adopted penguin a name!

The Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust also accepts donations of various amounts.

I figured since if you follow this blog, penguins have inspired media and art that means a lot to you or that has at least brightened your day. If you’re as amazed as I am about the real life species, please consider taking steps to help or learn more about real penguins. I figured sharing this information, while trying to make these changes myself, are the least I could do to honor these amazing creatures!

Thank you for reading! 😁

(Lol I’ll get off my soapbox now 😉)

Maybe Tom McGrath can explain it better 😉 (skip to 3:16 to hear him talk about how amazing penguins are! 😊)

[mysweetpoisons]

Deep below the surface

Pairing: Namor/ K’uk’ulkan x reader

Warnings: smut without plot, +18, spit, dominant namor, oral, p in v

Word count: +2700

The massive crafted stone doors are pushed shut behind you, confining you from the stern looks of the Talokanil guards.

The underwater cave is massive, spacious enough to be carved into a formidable palace, the place continues to amaze you each passing day as you explore it through your assigned chores. 

This room, however, you have never been privy to. The majestic throne room that has witnessed uncountable meetings and hearings over the centuries. And, in the center of the blue-illuminated salon is him. K’uk’ulkan. The name his people chant in reverent prayers, dancing salons and upcoming battles. 

The feathered serpent god is sitting proudly on his throne, the halo of sharp teeth at his back adding a literal extra edge to his posture.  

He's wearing that attire. The ceremonial helmet that has excitement running through your veins. You had only caught glimpses of it before, the mesmerizing movement of the colored feathers, the vivid red, green and blue contrasting against the dark gold and the soft glinting of the encrusted jewels. 

Vibrant colors, brown golden skin and rich brown eyes as exhilarating as fresh coffee beans.

No soul is immune to such beauty, especially not yours. But this? Looking at him feels like looking at the sun without glasses. His burning rays weaken your steps so much so that you almost end up toppling over when your knees meet the cold floor.

" My king " you greet with a soft voice and your head lowering in respect. 

" Come closer, surface dweller " 

Feeling a little bold, you decide to crawl to him until your hands reach the step where his feet rest. Your body is perfectly aligned with his middle.

Namor reaches down to cradle your face in his large hand. The gesture is almost sweet until the rough skin of his thumb taps your chin, directing your eyes up to his and sending a shiver to travel down your spine. 

" You have kept me waiting. Tell me, have you forgotten your place?" 

"I'm so-" your apology is cut out short by his tsk of disapproval.

Without speaking, Namor spreads his legs even wider for you to accommodate between them. A silent message that you get straight away: actions speak louder than words.

Instantly, your hands move up his legs, adoring the feeling of his hard muscles beneath your fingers, his skin wet yet still so warm.. exactly like that day.

That day, when the storm clouds had crushed the sky, the thunder struck in a deafening blast and freed the rain to flood. He had appeared among the waves, cloaked as another part of the wreck.  Then surfaced again, on the other side of the tattered board you had been sustaining yourself on. The tempest in his eyes, a mirror of the one surrounding you.

The offer was simple: die to become seafood or live to never come back. While the ship drowned behind your back, you were holding your arms out, surrendering to the cold angry waves to be caught and carried away by warm arms.  

Warm spreads all over your body just like that day as you slide your hands up his thighs slowly. Your fingers toy with the fraying edges of the loincloth he's wearing and then flick it to the side revealing his barely concealed bulge. A sight that never fails to have you licking your lips, those tight and short shorts are as much of a menace as he is. 

You palm his cock through the green fabric, feeling it stir at your touch. You can almost feel his fingers twitching with impatience, the need to fist your hair and urge you on. You continue to tease him, this time with your tongue darting out to lick the straining fabric around his half-hard-on, then nuzzling your nose along the way, following its shape. 

It isn't wise to provoke a god but the truth is that he needn't be demanding because a moment after your own desire to please him has you freeing his thick cock and fisting it almost urgently.  

As precum escapes its head, the tip of your tongue rushes out to taste it, swirling it in your mouth and spitting it right out, the mixed fluids dripping down his shaft as he hisses. You keep your tongue pressing slightly on the leaking slit, opening your lips to bring his head inside your mouth, sucking on it lightly. His large girth already sets an uncomfortable sting in your lower jaw. Your eyes climb up to his, finding two black pools of burning lust that make you squeeze your legs together looking for some kind of release from the kick of arousal in your stomach.

"Is that all you can take?" he mocks " You disappoint me, surface dweller" 

Oh, he knew you could take much much more, he was just being cruel.

Working him down your throat was always a challenge, a challenge you were gladly accepting each time.

So you renew your efforts to fit more of him, setting a pace that has saliva rolling down your chin, willing your throat to reach as far as you can while your tongue continues to trace each vein and ridge of his hard cock, leaving no trace of skin unexplored. Even when you gag and sputter around him you keep going, jerking off what you can't fit in your mouth.

You can see he's close, his chest is heaving, betraying his agitated state, his knuckles clutching the rudimental armrests while his legs part widely, twitching with the need to thrust up and choke you even more. 

To imagine that he wants this almost as much as you do, to think that he needs this, he needs you.. is … intoxicating. 

Having one goal in mind, you start to suck harder, bobbing up and down until tears fall from your eyes and your throat burns. His hand shoots out to fist your hair, catching you mid bob and pushing you even further down when he cums, filling your mouth and throat with his spend and groaning his release while you moan messily around his length, the vibration adding an extra stimulation that prolongs his orgasm, spilling even more cum into your awaiting throat.

Your pussy throbs needily while you clean him off, swallowing audibly any drop that could have escaped your mouth. 

After you have finished, his hand drops down to cradle the side of your face as you catch your breath against his thigh.

His thumb is drawing the line of your jaw when he commands huskily "Open", your mouth obeys him immediately showing that you have dutifully swallowed everything he gave you "Good. You did so good. Now, you think you deserve a reward ?" the rough pad of his thumb pulls down your lower lip admiring the soft pillowy skin as he continues to taunt you seductively "Think your pretty little body can take it?" 

You nod, waiting at his feet for doing it all over again. At least it was what you expected from that very first time. That time (not so far from your arrival to Talokan) when you had hunted Namor, fell to your knees before him and begged to release him from those hideously tempting shorts to please him with your mouth. Since then, he has never been satisfied with cumming once nor seeing you once a day and the sentiment was mutual. You have become insatiable, your desire to touch more of him, to elicit groans or any kind of unrestrictedly lustful reaction from him growing each passing day.

That's why a surprised yet pleased gasp escapes you when he joists you up into his lap.

Namor chuckles and bares you unceremoniously, untying the knot at your neck that holds your dress up. His eyes devour you as his large hands trace your body starting by your neck, following your pulse point down to your collarbone and lower to the sides of your breasts, touching every erogenous zone delicately. He stops at the top of your thighs to spread his fingers, thumbs moving up and down the line of your venus, digging into the flesh where your legs and pelvis meet and sending electric thrills to your core. 

"So soft and warm" his murmur is barely audible, almost as if his words aren't destined for your ears

You feel his hand cupping your heat next, the heel pressing against your bundle of nerves as his fingers easily slide down your slit and press at your sopping entrance.

Your hole clenches and sucks them in greedily, your entire body curling into the abyss of early ecstasy. He must realize this at the same time as you do because his smirk turns devilish.

"Haven't even touched you yet and you've already made a mess of yourself" his fingers sink into your heat, steadily coaxing you open "What's caught you so excited huh?" 

Swift as the snake he's been compared to over the centuries, he catches your eyes rising to his headdress and hears the erratic flutter of your beating heart. 

"Oh, you like this mmm.."- the torture of his fingers dragging languidly over your walls never stopping "Go on, tell me what you think"

"It's so..." you extend your hand tracing the curves of the golden beast up to the feathers and green aquatic leaves, not daring to touch any of it, afraid you will tarnish them somehow just by being so close " magnificent.." your eyes turning back to the god facing you, watching closely and unexpectedly quiet. Sometimes, he can even read your thoughts, but right now you're sure he can read your eyes. He sees through the praise, the amazement and reverence that lie beyond are not purely directed to what sits above his head.

He kisses you then. Pulling from your hair, he connects his lips with yours to capture you in a voracious kiss. His kisses used to be angry, long but measured. Now, they have morphed into life-consuming spells. One kiss was enough to have you drowning in desire, your body invaded by a thirst that could only be quenched by him: his lips, his hands, his cock.

His tongue breaches the seam of your lips, tasting them as he does so, then invades your mouth to fight and defeat yours. Each breath you take against his open mouth burns, the scrape of his teeth on your lower lip adding another log to the pyre. It's enough to make you lose your mind, shamelessly mewling while your hips move up and down, fucking yourself on his thick fingers. He parts his mouth from yours and your moans fill the room unobstructedly.

"Hold it" the warning is whispered into your ear, his dark voice electric like the thunder before a storm.

The single tear that falls from your eye at the effort is snatched by his finger, the pearly bubble dissolving in his skin.

"Poor, desperate surface dweller." the chocolate in his eyes is now completely melted "You're so lucky you taste so sweet."

The world seems to fold upside down when you're lifted and turned around, your butt landing on the throne with your legs parted wide open by strong hands.

Next thing you know Namor kneels and plunges his tongue inside you, then drags it out, licking up your slit once, twice and finally, his entire mouth takes as much flesh as he can and sucks, pulling deliciously on your clit and slurping your essence as if he was eating his favorite fruit. You completely forget how to breathe, as your legs start to shake uncontrollably around him and your head hits his throne. 

The mere image of him sucking on your pussy like a maniac at the feet of his own throne is enough to send you over the edge. Your hands wildly reach out to hold onto something as the pleasure turns unbearable. Denied of his lush hair they land instead on the gold shoulder plates, scraping needily on the metal as you cum, crying silently in shock at the suddenness of the white burning bliss that crushes you. He sucks your abused folds one more time and raises.

His hand brings you back to consciousness, squeezing your cheeks and prying your lips open only to spit in your mouth. He doesn't have to say a word, you swallow it all instinctively. 

"You're so dirty " he chuckles satisfied "and you're about to get dirtier, surface dweller"

He engulfs your lips yet again, sharing the remnants of your taste on his tongue as he manhandles you into a position he likes, yanking you down and pushing your knees up your chest with firm arms.

Moaning into the kiss, you feel the blunt tip of his already hard cock rubbing on your sensitive folds, parting them to push against your entrance. Slowly, he eases his head inside allowing you some reprieve before his mercy runs thin and he continues on, burying himself in one powerful thrust, reaching your limit and knocking all of the air from your lungs. The stretch overwhelms you with stinging pleasure, like thorns pricking on your nerves with shocks of bliss.

"Always so warm" he groans, his words fueling the heat in your belly as his lips part from yours moving down to mark your throat.

He drives his hips into yours, setting an unforgiving pace while searching and finding that spongy spot behind your front wall. Guided by your lewd moans he rams his cock into it fascinated by your body fitting more and more of his large cock and squeezing so hard around him. 

He makes you cum for the second and third time of the day, driving into you with such fervor and precision that scrambles your brain and rattles your bones. Slick drips down your cunt and soaks his lower abdomen as wet sloshing sounds fill the room. 

You feel utterly delirious, your gaze dropping to where your bodies are joined, the wide base of his cock splitting you open eliciting another wave of arousal, pushing another horizon of unbridled gratification. 

"Look at me " the pressure of his hand wrapped around your throat snaps your attention back up. His jawline is tense almost as if it was carved on stone, his lips look swollen and biteable and his eyes are so dark you feel like you're falling, your stomach trembling once more as he thrusts hard.

The golden face of the roaring beast seems to goad your febrile state.

"It is said that if you look too much, its eyes can trap your soul for eternity." the playful warning falls from his lips like honey when he notices you're staring "Tell me, is yours mine already?" his final chuckle earning another pained moan from you.

You can't even fathom how to answer that. You hope he doesn't expect a coherent response because the truth is, you haven't been able to think rationally since you had set foot in this room.  

Your walls cling to him and your back arches as you drink every sinful word he keeps bombarding you with. Every taunt, every smile, every chuckle, every hitched breath and moan between you both is vitally consumed as water in the desert. 

The grip on your throat tenses, your pulse point deliciously stroked by his fingers, causing your hand to shoot up grasping his wrist as the pressure in your lower belly starts to rise. Your chest touches his muscular one, your knees getting squished between your chests as he drives his cock even deeper inside you. 

He keeps pounding into you relentlessly until you feel him throbbing, the muscles in his lower abdomen tensing and you're choking on feverish words, the desire for him to fill you up once again maddening.

"That's it" he praises, his voice pierced by want "Keep begging for my cum. How much do you need it?"

You can't control yourself, the pleas that fall from your lips are intelligible, your voice breaking between moans. It only takes two more thrusts for him to reach his peak, his cock swelling and stretching you impossibly, pumping you full of his cum. As he groans his euphoria, his other hand reaches down to draw circles around your sensitive nub. The crease of the wave starts to fall on you too as he's still spilling generously inside you. The orgasm rips you apart. You come so hard you think your soul leaves your body, the only thing it remains is his name on your lips. 

He examines the image before him with voracious yet pleased eyes. Eyes closed, shallow breaths, skin shining with sweat and still stretched around him. You're a fucked senseless mess, just how he liked it.

Thoroughly ruined, a fleeting thought of quiet complaint stuck in your mind: how is it fair that he looks like he hasn't broken a sweat in his entire life when you feel so completely undone, the post-orgasmic haze gripping your mind and body with exhaustion.

He plays with what has leaked out of you, smearing it, making more of a mess and earning a raspy whine from you. 

"You look so good beneath me" Namor whispers while leaning forward, nuzzling your nose with his " This might be your new place. Would you like that? To have me holding you down, filling this greedy pussy forever?"

Your wrecked moan is answering enough.

🌊🌊🌊

Please comment or reblog if you enjoyed it, it would make my day! ❤️

[ask-annamary]

Do you make your tuna sandwiches correctly? As in, devoid of those dreadful pieces of celery, properly salted, and with the right mayo-to-tuna ratio?

I have an inkling as to who you are, Anonymouse... but I will not make any assumptions.

To be completely honest, it is actually quite easy to keep tabs on what you consume and how your perchases impact the world around you. If you wish to have a tool around to help be more mindful of your food, I highly recommend https://www.seafoodwatch.org/ , it is an immensely helpful resource and I even used it to formulate this response. You can even contact them for printed guides on what you should and should not eat. I personally carry around a few cards for myself and to share with-

Ah... I have noticed a good number of you expressing interest in hearing more about my "infodumps", so I surpose it wouldn't hurt to indulge every now and again. Many of my coworkers have commented about how verbose I can be, so I try to scale down my words from time to time. This will not be one of those times.

Ah yes... the world of industrial fishing. To be as clear as water, I am fully aware of how flawed that system is as a whole. Certain practices are downright devastating to oceans, but alas it is what these companies do to "make ends meet." If you asked me I'd believe the only end they're meeting is the deep end.

Now, where should I begin... ah, let's tackle Bluefin Tuna as a whole. The reason behind this strict avoidance is shrimple: it's overfising. The rate at which these fish are being collected far exceeds the rate at which they can reproduce, meaning that if current practices continue on these fish will not be able to make up for all the numbers lost to fishing.

The method of which these fish are caught can also be quite problematic. Methods such as FADs and drifting longlines can be detrimental not only to tuna, but to many other ocean going creatures. Drifting longlines for example, have a dire habit of getting other creatures ensnared by their hooks, such as various sea birds and sea turtles. FADs, fish aggregating devices, are floating structures created to attract the attention of Tuna, but they bring along other fish that are not intended to be caught like various species of sharks. The phenomena of animals other than the target species being caught is called bycatch, and many of these animals needlessly perish in this process.

Now, one may think farming these fish will be the shorefire solution to this conundrum. Many fish can be sustainably farmed, but one must keep in mind that tuna are gargantuan predators with appetites to match their size. It can take up to FIFTEEN TONS of fish caught from the wild to just produce one ton of tuna meat, meaning more fish are hunted for a mere fraction in return. On top of that, these farms produce a great amount of... er... effluent into the surrounding waters, which then throws the local ecosystem off its balance.

Truly the best way to avoid these issues in fishery is to focus on Tuna whose species are not threatened by over fishing, and more importantly to make sure the fisheries you are purchasing them from are not practicing harmful methods of fishing. One more thing to keep in mind is which ocean they hail from. While species such as Skipjacks and Yellowtails are by no means threatened in the Indian Ocean, many fisheries do not follow rules put into place to prevent over fishing.

Did I cover everything? Or... most of everything? That must be a lot to take in at once, but I am not quizzing any of you on anything. Again, if you are feeling unshore about what youre buying, whether it be tuna, trout, tilapia, or really any seafood, don't hesitate to consult a Seafood Watch guide.

The Deep Diver's excitement slowed to a stop as he remained silent for a moment, realizing how long he had gone on and on and on about... what, something that had initially begun as a debate on tuna sandwiches? Lights within the dark of his helmet began to glow dimly... as if she were... blushing!

... Thank you for listening. I have work to dive back into. Goodbye.

[loominggaia]

Evangeline Kingdom has 16 major territories (also called cities or holds). This article contains some information about each of them.

Realistically, I imagine there are a lot of little small towns and villages between these cities, but they are just too insignificant to map.

EVANGELITE TERRITORIES

Glasstide - Located at the northwestern tip of Noalen in the Frozenwind Pass region. Glasstide is one of the coldest cities on Looming Gaia, and also Evangeline Kingdom’s least populated territory. Its main industries are fishing and whaling. It’s an open secret that this city has the highest concentration of lycanthropes on Looming Gaia. This is because of its remote location, the fact that lycanthropes are hardy to cold weather, and the mass migration of lycanthropes to this location during the Full Moon Genocides. Living in such a cold, harsh region is difficult for most peoples, but those with lycanthropy seem to thrive here.

Wintermoore - Located in the mountains of the Frozenwind Pass region. This city was supposedly the birthplace of the first Stoneshaker minotaur clans. For much of its history it was populated by minotaurs, centaurs, and elves, but this changed in the 4th Age when it was violently conquered by Evangeline Kingdom. Its original population was enslaved and replaced with Evangelite commoners. It is now a mining town that provides much of the kingdom’s iron.

Weypine - Located in the cold, forested Winterwood region. It’s believed that this was the birthplace of the Namarie elves, and for most of history it was populated by their clans. It was later conquered by Evangeline Kingdom in the 4th age, its original population was enslaved, and now it is an Evangelite city best known for its logging industry.

Eastwalk - Located on the northern edge of the Timberland Forest region. Eastwalk is a prosperous industrial hub that exports many types of raw resources to the rest of the kingdom, most notably lumber, seafood, and mushrooms. It is one of the few Evangelite territories that has an electrical grid, which is powered by primitive wind turbines along the coast. However, most of the electricity generated is used to power its industrial operations, meaning the average Eastwalk citizen is still living in the dark ages of wood and coal.

Queenswater - Located along the Crown River in the Timberland Forest region. Queenswater is populated by many of Evangeline Kingdom’s wealthiest citizens. With its temperate weather, scenic location, and dam-powered electrical grid, it boasts the highest land values in the kingdom, so its no surprise that its biggest industry is real estate.

Waterview - Located around Crown Lake in the Timberland Forest region. Satyrs and nymphs used to hold large, rowdy revels here until the 4th Age, when Evangeline Kingdom enslaved all the region’s satyrs. Today its famous revels have been replaced by stuffy Evangelite galas, which are attended by the kingdom’s upper classes. Waterview is now a resort town mainly populated by tourists and the wealthy.

Newell - Located in the Timberland Forest region. This city is integral to Evangeline Kingdom’s fur and leather industry, with its extensive fur trapping, tanning, and textile processing operations. Local faunae advise business owners about animal populations in the forest, controlling what, when, and where they hunt from season to season. Such practices keep these industries sustainable under the Nymph Pact. However, some business owners feel the nymphs are harming their profits, and hire mercenaries to poach prohibited animals anyway. When caught, these poachers are dealt with swiftly and mercilessly by the faunae.

Aldfog - Located in the south Timberland Forest region. In ancient times, Aldfog was exclusively populated by satyrs and nymphs, who spent their days frolicking freely in the forest. Today, the satyrs’ descendents are enslaved to the Evangelites and forced to work for the city’s booming lumber industry. Local nymphs now oversee operations and replant trees that the Evangelites chop down. Its deep forested location has made Aldfog attractive to vampires, most of which are Evangelite slaves who got kidnapped into existing clans. These vampires often dabble in dark magics like necromancy, creating ghosts and zombies that escape into the woods. Many citizens and slaves seem to mysteriously disappear into the forest every year, never to be seen again. All of these things contribute to Aldfog’s “creepy” and “strange” reputation.

Rockreach - Located near Ironmaid Mountain. Rockreach was the birthplace of the first golden dworf clans, who quickly discovered and utilized its rich ore deposits. Their advanced metallurgy operations began polluting the river that provided water for many of the region’s other peoples, and this led to a long series of wars. Some time around the 4th Age, Rockreach couldn’t defend itself from its many enemies anymore, so it assimilated with Evangeline Kingdom for protection. Under Evangelite reign, it was forced to relocate its dirty industrial operations to Zareen Empire to satisfy the Nymph Pact. Today the river is clean, but Rockreach’s ore deposits are depleted, its impressive processing factories are abandoned, and most of its original dworfen populace has immigrated away to Zareen Empire. Now its economy is supported by a great quarry, which provides most of the kingdom’s stone. This stone-harvesting operation is overseen by local oreads. This was once the most technologically-advanced city in Evangeline Kingdom, but now it is but a giant pit where slaves toil away with primitive tools.

Silverspring - Located in western Blue Valley, Noalen. Ranching is this city’s bread and butter, as its vast, fertile grasslands are prime grazing grounds for livestock. Cattle, sheep, turkeys, and horses are the most common animals ranched here. Silverspring is Evangeline Kingdom’s largest meat producer. Many livestock-themed festivals and contests are held here every year, attracting visitors from all over the kingdom.

Evangeline Capital - Located around Bluerock Lake. The capital is the largest city in Evangeline Kingdom. It is a grand and heavily-fortified metropolis that acts as the kingdom’s main commercial, culture, and entertainment hub. Producers from all over the kingdom come here to sell their goods, especially during festivals, which attract many tourists. It is also home of the largest Lindist temple in the kingdom.

Merrowville - Located in the eastern Blue Valley region. Merrowville has had a troubled history since the rise of Folkvar Kingdom, as it has been captured, lost, and recaptured more than any other Evangelite territory. Its exposed location makes it rather hard to defend, so this isn’t likely to change until the war ends. Currently it’s home to a large Evangelite military presence, and all these soldiers gives it an infamous reputation for crime.

Greenhearst - Located in the Blue Valley region. The majority of the kingdom’s crops are grown in Greenhearst, but this city exports a lot of food to foreign kingdoms as well. Life here is quiet and simple, with slaves vastly outnumbering citizens. There isn’t much to do except work the fields and drink, and alcohol stays cheap thanks to the city’s local distilleries. In addition to food, Greenhearst provides Evangeline Kingdom with much of its beer too. Greenhearstians are stereotyped by other Evangelites as inbred, uneducated, drunks, but Greenhearstians themselves take pride in their rural, outdoorsy culture.

Rivermere - Located north of the Bluerock River. Rivermere sits right on Evangeline Kingdom’s southern border. It is primarily a military city, home to the largest barracks and training academies in the kingdom. Rivermere spares no expense on defenses to keep itself safe from foreign powers, but despite its efforts, its citizens are plagued by the rampant crime within its own walls. It is shamefully known as a hub for drug and sex trafficking.

Kelvingyard Town - Located between the Bluerock River and Refuge River. Kelvingyard Town is Evangeline Kingdom’s most infamous city, as its home to a massive slaving operation called Kelvingyard. The city’s entire economy was built around this slaveyard, which is also the source of all its electricity. Slaves are forced to turn heavy wheels which produce electricity for the city’s upper classes. The town itself is described as a drab, depressing place. Most of its citizens are employed by the Kelvingyard Slaving Company. The city’s strategic location allows slavers to snatch refugees attempting to travel from Yerim-Mor to Folkvar, providing a constant stream of new stock for its champion industry.

Oaken - Located on Oaken Island. Evangeline Kingdom has three domestic siege dragons in its possession, which they threaten to release upon their enemies as weapons of mass destruction. These dangerous beasts are contained in a facility here on Oaken Island, and the town’s whole existence centers around training and caring for them. This isolated location ensures minimal damage to the rest of the kingdom should the dragons escape, though the possibility is still taken very seriously, as the loss of the dragons alone would devastate the kingdom’s economy and military might. All of the kingdom’s aspiring dragoneers must spend at least one year caring for the siege dragons at Oaken before they can graduate. The city is home to many soldiers as a result, but also farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and hunters that feed them. Not to mention all the auxiliary business to support those industries, such as tool makers, shopkeepers, and even sex workers. The siege dragon containment facility is the keystone holding all of these livelihoods together, and should it collapse, all of Oaken collapses with it.

*

Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

[toomuchdragons]

Sustainable Seafood 101

“We like to think all our seafood is freshly wild-caught. But in cities like Blacksand Annex, with both a high population of fish-eating Coatl AND a lot of Fire-elementals who find fishing particularly dangerous, that's just not practical. So most urban seafood comes from farms like this one.”

“Due to the relatively low population of water-elementals in the area, many Blacksand fish farms employ Maren for tasks that require getting in the water. My familiar is one such employee. Say hello, class!”

Thought it would be fun to draw Honeybee teaching a class, and also share some of my headcanon on urban areas in FR.

[dailydoseofdeadly]

Great White Shark

Name: Great White Shark

Scientific Name: Carcharodon carcharias

Family: Lamnidae

Size: 16-20 feet long, weighs 2-4 tons 

Habitat: Coastal or pelagic waters in the North Atlantic, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, and Northeast Pacific 

Fatalities: 5 fatal attacks last year

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Fun Fact: Great Whites are the largest predatory fish

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water. 

The influence for Hungry Shark games, Jaws, and much more, the Great White Shark is either known to most people as terrifying or misunderstood. Terrifying, for its reputation of attacking surfers, misunderstood, because the likelihood of dying by shark attack or even getting attacked is lower than getting struck by lightning. This isn’t your usual dailydoseofdeadly post with venom, teeth, and what do if you get bit. If you get bit, you should go to the emergency room, it’s not that hard. This post is going to be an education on sharks, their declining numbers, and conservation strategies put into place. I’m all for hemotoxins and bite force, but in a decade, if we don’t start putting conservation into the conversation, there’ll be nothing there for me to talk about. 

Overfishing puts over ⅓ of all sharks at risk of extinction. Overfishing is when fish are caught and removed at a faster rate than they can reproduce. But daily, sharks aren’t a typical fish that is caught for consumption. BUT, they do eat fish; fish that’s being removed from the food chain at remarkable rates. Sharks, usually, at the top of ocean food chains and food webs. Removal of anything lower, even the smallest of fish, could affect everything from the tiniest plankton to the biggest sharks and whales. Basically, the sharks don’t have anything to eat, and starvation kills. 

Sharks, particularly more open-water ones like the Great White and Mako shark, are hunted for sport and oftentimes kept as trophies. Removing top predators like these can completely turn ecosystems upside down, throwing populations of prey fish and plankton off. 

That’s not to say that there are things being done and things that YOU can do too. YOU can buy seafood sustainability. YOU can call your representatives if you live in the United States and advocate for marine protection programs. YOU can be mindful of the fertilizers you put in your yard so toxic chemicals don’t get into waterways and eventually to the ocean. YOU can donate and volunteer with local environmental organizations. YOU can make a change, no matter how landlocked you are, no matter how little a difference it makes, it’s still something. 

Image from Smithsonian Institution

[abyssalaquarist00]

IS THAT THE ONLY FISH?

Regardless of how one might feel about Fukushima's NPP wastewater being released, the event raises more questions than answers. Bottom trawling in the prefecture is scheduled to resume in September, so what happens when we have no more seafood?

Sources / Thoughts below

WHAT IS BOTTOM TRAWLING?

It's an environmentally devastating fishing practice in which a trawl net is dragged across the seafloor. This can destroy coral communities and accidentally capture turtles and marine mammals.

WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT FUKUSHIMA'S NUCLEAR WASTEWATER?

On August 24th 2023, the Japanese Government moved forward in releasing treated wastewater from the reactors in efforts to decommission the plant. This was also cleared by the UN's nuclear watchdog.

HOW DO I SHOP SUSTAINABLY?

Find out where your seafood comes from and how it was caught. Buying seafood from certain regions with certain methods is how you show your support for said practices. Seafood Watch is one resource by the Monterrey Bay Aquarium.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I'm not an expert. I'm not even pro-nuclear to begin with because when the disasters happen, it's highly destructive, dangerous and can take decades to recover from. Experts may have signed off on this release, but now is a good time to talk about what else goes on in the ocean.

I can't give you every little piece of information, but I hope the above gives a starting point to kickstart some other questions you might want to look up.

I also generally just disagree with using the environment as a dumping ground! We should look for ways to create 0 waste with 0 high-risk dangers towards health / safety / nature

[sunlightandsuffering]

Taking this straight out from your post about Junior High: Divorce Mikasa bumps on Eren and Annie going on a date and is told by Eren that Annie asked him out to eat some hamburgers. Desperate to thwart their plans, Mikasa starts talking about how fast food is bad for your health and tries to invite Eren to a seafood restaurant instead

HELP THIS IS SO FUNNY, ADULT JUNIOUR HIGH MIKASA THRIVES!!!! omg she's so desperate omg, she's spewing so many ridiculous facts about seafood and Eren and Annie are just looking at her like she's insane, which she is of course!! WRITING IT, I LOVE U FOR THIS ANON!! lol

"Fish actually boosts brain power," Mikasa finds herself saying in a fit of absolutely unhinged glory.

"Yeah but we both love burgers." "They're unhealthy," she finds herself explaining, "And they're not farmed sustainably, where do the restaurant you're going to get their beef from? Is it a sustainable farm? Where do they keep the cows?" It had started as a desperate attempt to stop Eren from going on a date but now as she's balls deep in her jealousy addled delusion, Mikasa finds that she simply cannot stop spewing ridiculous seafood facts. It's like an out of body experience as she cuts off Annie at every turn, the girl speaking some sort of ocean encyclopedia, "The restaurant I'm talking about down the road has sustainably caught fish, they don't farm them or harm the ecosystem." Eren's eyes have almost bugged out of his head at this point, and he's giving her that look, the one he used to get in high school when she was about to do something particularly embarassing, the one where he wants so desperately to stop her but can't. And she can't either, no matter how she tries to shut herself up, it just keeps going on and on and on.

Annie tries to say something again, her eyebrows furrowing and lip curling up as she attempts to get a word in edgewise but Mikasa is too quick, cutting her off once again with another useless seafood fact. She doesn't even fucking like seafood that much. "Eren is malnourished lately, have you seen him Annie? He looks gaunt, he's not getting enough vitamins," Mikasa argues, becoming even more impassioned with every word, her tone accusatory, "you're contributing to his poor diet. What if something happens to him, what if he collapses? Will hamburgers help him then?"

It feels like every time she opens her mouth, it results in some long-winded rant and at this point, she's resigned herself to the fact that Eren is never going to speak to her again.

Annie attempts to defend herself this time, "We just umm we both like cheeseburgers--" "I don't care, they're unhealthy, and look at him, he's pale," Mikasa gestures wildly to Eren, poking his cheek, "You know what he needs?" Annie swallows, shaking her head and Mikasa is triumphant as she snaps right back, "Seafood! Fish if filled with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, it's an important source of protein and minerals too! You see his pallour, he needs iron, he needs potassium, he needs fish--" And then, there is nothing more as Eren begins dragging her away, throwing Annie a sheepish smile over his shoulder and telling her he'll see her later.

He throws her over his shoulder like she weighs nothing, like a sack of potatoes, and he pinches her thigh as he begins his trek to the car, "You're fucking unhinged Miki." She knows, but she thinks she's won this round as she watches Annie stand alone in the sidewalk, dateless and confused. Embarassing her ex so badly in front of his current date that he has to physically drag her away isn't exactly how she thought it would go over, but she's won nonetheless.

She gives Annie her most winning smile before Eren pinches her thigh again for good measure and she yelps. "Stop being smug, I can feel it from here, you little lunatic." She just doesn't want him to be malnourished.

[sustainabilitythoughts]

Sustainable seafood

Your seafood choices impact the health of the ocean and its inhabitants as well as helping to promote sustainable fishing practices.  Knowing the details of where and how your seafood is harvested is key in that effort.  The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch provides information on how to make sustainable choices when you purchase wild caught or farmed seafood.  In addition to more general educational information on fishing and farming methods to help you evaluate your seafood purchases, the organization also maintains detailed lists by species, location, and fishing technique.  Some fishing methods are very harmful to ocean habitat or have unintended harmful effects on other species.  Some fish populations are overfished and need time to recover.  Improperly managed fish farms can do significant environmental damage.  The Seawatch recommendations also take into account the livelihood and safety of workers and economic benefits throughout the supply chain. Checking whether your seafood choices are sustainable takes extra time and effort but is important to maintaining the health of the ocean and the earth. 

[notwiselybuttoowell]

Wildtype’s co-founder and CEO, Justin Kolbeck, a former diplomat who has worked on food insecurity abroad, worries about how current practices would feed a growing population’s demand for seafood.

“The scope of what we’re facing is so massive that if we don’t all succeed, we as a species will collectively fail,” he said. “We can’t fix this when we’re at that point – we need to fix it now when there’s still time for oceans to recover.”

In many cases, seafood products travel multiple times around the world before reaching the end consumer.

"We’re one environmental disaster away from extraordinary disruption to the supply chain and the global consumption of seafood is at an all-time high,” said Lou Cooperhouse, founder and CEO of BlueNalu, which is initially focused on growing bluefin tuna toro. In the next decade, he envisions factories being built around the world that can meet consumption demands and says they are ready to scale quickly.

Sustainable sources of seafood are needed to meet the demand from a growing global population that is on pace to reach 10 billion by 2050. While plant-based alternatives that look and taste like fish are gaining traction, cruelty-free cultivated seafood products could be on dinner plates in the next year or two, pending regulatory approval from the US food and drug administration.

But critics say in order for cell-cultivated seafood to be a better bet for the planet than fishing or farming, the industry would have to make their expensive products cost-competitive and get consumers to willingly substitute it for wild-caught fish.

It also needs to be eaten in numbers high enough to replace wild-caught fish. Researchers say this is unlikely, given the fact that aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms, hasn’t succeeded in replacing global wild-caught fisheries but is simply adding to seafood production.

“I’m really skeptical of claims that cell-based seafood companies will make a difference for fisheries and ocean conservation,” said Benjamin Halpern, a marine biologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has researched cultivated seafood’s ability to reduce fishing pressure.

The state of California recently made the largest single investment in alternative protein research of any US state. The $5m (£4.4m) in funding is being split between three University of California schools: UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UCLA. And the Biden administration is backing lab-grown meat as referenced in a recent executive order.

When grown indoors, cell-cultured seafood like salmon and tuna can be optimized for taste, texture and nutritional content, and cooked like traditional fish or eaten like sushi. But it remains unknown if consumers will embrace lab-grown fish.

“We talk a lot about price, taste and convenience as the three core aspects the alt-protein industry needs to focus on,” said Marika Azoff, a corporate engagement specialist at the Good Food Institute, a non-profit advocacy group that promotes alternative proteins. “They need to taste the same or better, they need to be priced the same or cheaper, and they need to be widely available.”

“I see a role for alternative seafood production in the sustainable seafood equation, just as I do for sustainably harvested wild fisheries and sustainable aquaculture,” said Rob Jones, global head of aquaculture at the Nature Conservancy. “Both cell-based and plant-based seafood can be a part of that future.”

Jones said alternative seafood products could achieve a similar 1% to 2% of the overall market, similar to plant-based meats, but that the full environmental and social effects of the production methods, such as carbon emissions and ingredient sourcing policies, must be considered.

Most alt-seafood companies won’t share their intellectual property and it’s unknown just how energy-intensive cell culturing is at this stage. BlueNalu’s Cooperhouse likens it to beer or beverage production and says it’s important to remember that the current seafood industry is incredibly resource-intensive.

“Your resources are labor on ships, oil, massive transportation and the many animal lives lost for a very inefficient 50% to 70% yield depending on species,” he said. “Let’s address the global supply chain issues and solve them one species at a time.”

BlueNalu and Wildtype say there’s no single solution to meeting the world’s demand for seafood, but believe their presence can lead to greater sustainability in the industry.

“Fish farms recognize that their current practices need to change and commercial fishing operations know something needs to change,” said Wildtype’s co-founder Aryé Elfenbein, who is also a cardiologist. “Our role is to assist with that transition – that’s really what we’re there for.”

[thebig-3]

Title: Discover the Paradise of Boracay: A Tropical Haven of Beauty and Adventure

Introduction: Boracay, a small island paradise located in the Philippines, beckons travelers from around the world with its breathtaking natural beauty, pristine white sand beaches, and vibrant atmosphere. With its turquoise waters, abundant marine life, and vibrant nightlife, Boracay offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Join us as we delve into the wonders of this tropical haven and explore the unforgettable experiences that await you on the shores of Boracay.

1.Unspoiled Beaches and Crystal-Clear Waters: Boracay is renowned for its stunning beaches, with White Beach taking center stage. Stretching over four kilometers, this powdery white sand beach captivates visitors with its postcard-perfect beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Sink your toes into the soft sand, soak up the tropical sun, and take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters. Whether you're seeking relaxation or beachside activities, Boracay's beaches offer something for everyone.

2.Water Adventures and Marine Marvels: Diving enthusiasts will find themselves in a diver's paradise in Boracay. Embark on underwater adventures to explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with an array of colorful fish and fascinating marine life. With numerous dive sites around the island, including Crocodile Island and Yapak Wall, you can discover the beauty of Boracay's underwater world.

For those seeking a thrill, try exhilarating water sports such as snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, or kiteboarding. Boracay's warm waters and favorable wind conditions make it an ideal playground for these adrenaline-pumping activities.

3.Mesmerizing Sunsets and Epic Parties: As the day draws to a close, prepare to witness unforgettable sunsets that paint the sky with hues of gold, orange, and pink. Find a cozy spot along the beach, sip on a refreshing cocktail, and watch nature's canvas unfold before your eyes. The captivating sunsets of Boracay are a sight to behold and provide the perfect backdrop for romantic moments.

When night falls, Boracay transforms into a vibrant hub of entertainment. The beachfront comes alive with a plethora of restaurants, bars, and clubs offering live music, fire dancing, and electrifying parties. Dance the night away under the stars and embrace the infectious energy of the island's nightlife.

4.Delightful Culinary Experiences: Boracay's dining scene is a gastronomic delight that caters to every palate. Indulge in freshly caught seafood, international cuisines, and local delicacies served in beachfront restaurants and cozy cafes. From savoring mouthwatering grilled prawns to trying traditional Filipino dishes like adobo and sinigang, Boracay offers a diverse culinary journey that will satisfy even the most discerning food lover.

5.Island Hopping and Natural Wonders: Venture beyond Boracay's shores and embark on an island-hopping adventure to explore nearby gems. Discover the pristine beaches of Puka Island, with its unspoiled charm and beautiful seashells, or visit the secluded and tranquil Diniwid Beach. You can also take a boat trip to nearby Ariel's Point, a cliff-diving paradise offering adrenaline-fueled jumps into the clear blue waters.

6.Sustainable Tourism and Preservation: In recent years, Boracay has undergone rehabilitation efforts to preserve its natural beauty and ensure sustainable tourism. The island now implements stricter environmental regulations and practices to protect its fragile ecosystem. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of their impact and help maintain the island's pristine condition for future generations to enjoy.

Conclusion: Boracay's allure lies in its breathtaking beaches, thrilling water adventures, vibrant nightlife, and culinary delights.

Submitted by:

Jonald John S. Millendez

Vince Rainier S. Zamora

[quinlanbrosca]

Top-Quality Cod: Why It's Worth the Extra Investment

The taste, texture, and nutritional value of fish are the differences between mediocre and top-quality cod. Whether a seafood enthusiast or a professional chef, investing in top-quality cod pays off in more ways than one. This article looks into why top-quality cod is worth the extra cost and how top Canadian cod producers ensure that the highest standards are met.

What Defines Top-Quality Cod

High-grade cod is fresh, firm-textured, and clean-tasting. Not like the low-grade cod that has to be frozen for months and processed not so carefully, the premium cod is obtained and handled with such care that its natural features are maintained. Consequently, one gets a fish that is not only colorful-looking but also tastes superior.

Why Purchasing Cod of High Grade Makes a Difference

Superior Taste and Texture

The highest quality cod provides an excellent gastronomic experience due to its delicately flaky texture and mild, rich flavor. Proper handling and processing preserve the fish's original characteristics to serve up unmatched superior flavor and texture for any dish.

Nutritional Value

Premium cod contains a lot of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals; all these nutrients will support a general state of overall health, making premium-grade cod not just highly palatable but also a good choice for a balanced diet.

Sustainability and Ethics

Fresh cod purchases are a way of promoting sustainable, responsible fishing. Major Canadian cod producers ensure that their method of fishing preserves marine habitats and secures responsibly caught cod. This makes your purchase an investment in the future of our oceans.

Longer Shelf Life and Better Freshness

Compared to these low-grade substitutes, premium-grade cod will stay fresh much longer. This results in its being even more palatable and healthy, thus leading to reduced wastage and value for the long term.

How Canadian Cod Producers Ensure Quality

Canadian Cod Producers

Canadian cod producers are highly concerned with sustainability and quality. Therefore, modern fishing and quality control measures ensure that only the best hit the markets. The selective fishing methods used by them also reduce bycatch and promote healthy marine populations.

Largest Cod Producers

The largest cod-producing companies are a benchmark for others with quality. Firstly, they commit to investing in the best processing facilities. In addition, quality control practices are very stringent. With the influence of these Largest Cod Producers of cod all over the world, such influences also extend to making the seafood industry keep up with standard quality products.

Conclusion

What can be said about cod of the highest quality-is that they really earn the spend: superior taste, enhanced nutritional value, and satisfaction in knowing you're getting well-sourced fish. Purchasing from the best Canadian cod producers means you can be certain you're enjoying a product cared for and produced at the highest standards you might want. Top quality cod speaks for a lot more than a good meal; it suggests giving back to responsibility and a more responsible seafood industry.

Discover your best premium cod options and our offerings at Quinlan. Better seafood and the difference of why quality matters with premium cod.

[tealtreesthriving-ttt457]

Generic Fantasy Short Story: Jean & Karl through the Diamond Mountains again, a bad idea.

The day was hot, and more so as the location had its own version of heat, quite scathing to say. The mountains were not of diamond, but related to a general trend of excavation known to ReFantalouvans as such. A question could be made about the sustainability of all of this, but first, the sustainability of our main characters is to be noted.

“....Ah schiesse,” muttered Karl, the heat getting to him. The vision of the day was blurry with the intensity of the heat, as if lines of reality were faltering, or was it himself? He wore at least a shirt, some shorts, and didn’t carry a sword, remembering the times it was unwieldy with heat and scorn. But alas, it got to him, inserting doubts and increasing fatigue as he rose towards the mountain. 

Miss Vanderholm was not faring better. From the memories of before, she didn’t bring her whole armor, but persisted in bringing her sword, regretting it heavily due to its durability and edge slowly melting away, a burden of great guilt of duty on her as she went up with Karl, ahead of him, but still suffering, a great waterfall of sweat and heat around the side of her waist where her sword was. She could feel her scalp heating despite the usual amount of hair, not trying to pant or wheeze, to abide by her training.

Karl did it for reasons less prideful, but to look okay, despite being significantly weaker, making it hard to heave his leg up a significant height on this arduous hike. 

“......Are you faring well, Karl?” slurred Jean, the fatigue getting to her upright and eloquent speech, that too being a great weight onto her guilt. “I think it’s almost there.” She had the advantage, with slender and strong legs, training during a semi-squire training, and good genetic genes, but the mind fathomed the heat quite worse as it is. Perhaps Sir Luketica might be ashamed of such efforts, then again, he could swiftly move from one place to another, so perhaps he has no experience in doing so. Her head was spinning, the blur getting to her. But alas, should I persist for the sake of the mission?

“Jean, there is no mission, it was a date,” Karl caught, popping the thought bubble on Jean’s head. She instantly paused, morals unbound because some dude said no and went into her head.

“Oh okay, I suppose we…..”

“Go back to Midtown and have-?”

“A 2-course seafood meal?!” Jean’s mouth could water, but heat stroke for her kind hit its limit. She fell into Karl’s arms with great weight. Unfortunately, the side of her sword hissed greatly on Karl’s bare legs, happy to catch her, but slightly miffed he got another burn.

“No, but I sure as well won’t keep you from it.” he shrugged, and the two stopped trying to hike a literal death mountain, the end, no suspense here, piss off. They’re not going to tumble down comedically, I checked. That’s in the 4th WhitenLand, and someone does break a leg. It’s Karl. Don’t worry, he…..

Shit I’m spoiling.

Moral of the lesson: Ego can kill, so go home and eat something good because you’ve put yourself through enough shit.

[tempchefs]

Fine Dining Chefs in Ireland: Crafting Culinary Excellence

Fine dining chef ireland scene has evolved tremendously over the past decade, with chefs across the country redefining the nation’s culinary identity. Known for its world-class produce, fresh seafood, and commitment to locally sourced ingredients, Ireland is now home to Michelin-starred restaurants and award-winning establishments that attract food lovers from around the globe. At the heart of this gastronomic revolution are Ireland’s fine dining chefs, who combine artistry, technique, and a passion for exceptional food. In this blog, we’ll explore the role of fine dining chefs in Ireland, the skills required to excel in this demanding profession, and how they are shaping the future of Irish cuisine.

The Rise of Fine Dining in Ireland

In recent years, Ireland has earned a reputation as a rising star in the global food scene. What was once a nation known primarily for traditional comfort foods like stews and soda bread is now a culinary destination celebrated for its innovation and creativity. Fine dining establishments have flourished, especially in cities like Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Kilkenny. Chefs have taken Ireland’s rich food heritage and elevated it through contemporary techniques, global influences, and a deep respect for local ingredients.

The fine dining experience in Ireland emphasizes both innovation and sustainability, with many chefs placing a focus on seasonality, organic produce, and artisanal products sourced from nearby farms and fisheries. Ireland’s lush landscape and coastal waters provide an abundance of high-quality ingredients, from grass-fed beef and lamb to freshly caught seafood, artisanal cheeses, and foraged herbs. Fine dining chefs in Ireland have become ambassadors for the land and sea, creating dishes that reflect the beauty and bounty of the country.

The Role of a Fine Dining Chef

Fine dining chefs are not just skilled cooks—they are culinary artists responsible for creating a multi-sensory experience for their guests. These chefs go beyond preparing food; they design menus that tell a story, evoke emotions, and celebrate the finest ingredients available. A fine dining chef’s work involves a meticulous balance of flavors, textures, and presentations, all aimed at delivering a memorable and luxurious dining experience.

Some of the key responsibilities of a fine dining chef include:

Menu Development Fine dining chefs are constantly innovating, experimenting with new flavors, and developing menus that are both seasonal and inspired. Menus often change frequently to highlight the freshest ingredients, and the chef’s creative vision is central to the dining experience.

Precision Cooking Techniques Working in fine dining requires mastery of advanced cooking techniques, such as sous-vide, molecular gastronomy, and intricate plating. Every dish in a fine dining restaurant must meet exacting standards, and chefs must execute each element with precision and care.

Leading a Kitchen Brigade Fine dining chefs typically oversee a team of cooks, sous chefs, and kitchen staff, ensuring that every member of the brigade is aligned with the restaurant’s vision. Leadership is key in these high-pressure kitchens, and the head chef must coordinate every aspect of the kitchen’s operations, from prep work to final plating.

Focus on Sustainability and Local Sourcing Many fine dining chefs in Ireland are committed to sourcing their ingredients locally and sustainably. By working closely with farmers, fishmongers, and artisanal producers, they can ensure that the ingredients they use are of the highest quality, while also supporting the local food economy.

Guest Interaction and Customization In a fine dining setting, chefs often interact with guests to provide a more personalized experience. Whether it’s tailoring a menu for dietary preferences or offering a chef’s table experience, fine dining chefs in Ireland frequently go the extra mile to ensure that their guests leave with lasting memories.

Skills Required to Become a Fine Dining Chef

Becoming a fine dining chef in Ireland requires a unique set of skills and qualities. These chefs operate in an environment where excellence is expected at all times, and the smallest mistake can impact the overall dining experience. Some of the key skills required include:

Culinary Expertise Fine dining chefs must have a deep understanding of both traditional and modern cooking techniques. They need to be proficient in areas like butchery, pastry, and sauce-making, as well as more innovative methods like fermentation and smoking.

Creativity and Innovation In fine dining, creativity is essential. Chefs are expected to push the boundaries of what is possible with food, combining unusual ingredients or techniques to surprise and delight their guests.

Attention to Detail From the way a dish is plated to the balance of flavors in every bite, fine dining chefs must pay close attention to every detail. In this world, precision is everything, and consistency is key.

Time Management A fine dining kitchen operates on strict timelines, and chefs must be able to manage their time effectively to ensure that every dish is prepared and served at the right moment. The pressure is high, and there is little room for error.

Passion and Dedication Fine dining is not for the faint-hearted. It requires long hours, relentless attention to quality, and a deep passion for food. Chefs must be driven by a desire to create something truly exceptional, day in and day out.

Michelin-Starred Restaurants and Leading Fine Dining Chefs in Ireland

Ireland’s fine dining landscape is dotted with award-winning restaurants and acclaimed chefs. Many of these chefs have helped put Ireland on the global culinary map with their innovative approaches to food. Some of the country’s most notable fine dining establishments include:

Chapter One (Dublin) Led by chef Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One is a Michelin-starred restaurant that has been a cornerstone of Dublin’s fine dining scene. Known for its contemporary European cuisine, Chapter One focuses on elegance, creativity, and impeccable technique.

Aniar (Galway) Headed by chef JP McMahon, Aniar is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Galway that celebrates Ireland’s native ingredients. McMahon’s dedication to foraging and locally sourced ingredients makes his restaurant a showcase of Irish terroir.

The Greenhouse (Dublin) With two Michelin stars, The Greenhouse offers a luxurious dining experience under chef Mickael Viljanen. The menu features modern European cuisine, with a focus on local Irish ingredients presented with modern flair.

Ballymaloe House (Cork) Ballymaloe House, led by the Allen family, is a fine dining restaurant known for its farm-to-fork approach. The restaurant uses ingredients grown on its own farm, offering a truly authentic and sustainable Irish dining experience.

The Future of Fine Dining in Ireland

As Ireland continues to gain recognition for its culinary achievements, the future of fine dining in the country looks bright. Chefs are increasingly experimenting with new techniques and ingredients, while maintaining a focus on sustainability and seasonality. Fine dining in Ireland is becoming more accessible, with pop-up events, chef’s tables, and tasting menus that cater to both local food lovers and international visitors.

Moreover, as more young chefs are inspired by Ireland’s growing food scene, the next generation of fine dining chefs is set to bring even more creativity and innovation to the table. With the country’s deep connection to its agricultural roots and a commitment to culinary excellence, Ireland is poised to continue its ascent as a global destination for fine dining.

Conclusion: Crafting Excellence in Every Dish

Fine dining chefs in Ireland play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s culinary identity. Through their dedication to innovation, local sourcing, and exceptional technique, these chefs are redefining what it means to dine in Ireland. As the fine dining scene continues to flourish, Ireland’s chefs will no doubt continue to create unforgettable experiences that celebrate the best of Irish ingredients and culinary artistry. For food lovers, this is an exciting time to explore the many fine dining opportunities that Ireland has to offer.