About Local F.I.S.H.

In 2015, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Fisheries Department was awarded a grant to begin a marketing and educational campaign focused on promoting Long Island seafood as Local F.I.S.H.

Fresh. Indigenous. Sustainable. Healthy.

Right now, the local food movement is strong on Long Island and for good reason. In addition to agricultural products, New York offers a wide range of seafood products harvested directly from surrounding waters. Buying local seafood enables consumers to know the direct origin of their food. Increased marketing of local seafood supports the economic viability of our coastal fishing communities and small businesses, and boosts the economic value of Long Island's seafood industry while providing consumers with fresher and higher-quality seafood. Purchasing locally caught fish insures the fish is sustainably harvested and in compliance with U.S. and state regulations which are some of the strictest in the world.

CCE is collaborating with fishermen, seafood retailers, distributors, CSA/CSF programs, restaurants, and other seafood industry members wanting to expand their marketing strategies and promotions, and get involved with this important project. The program aims to increase interest, awareness, and demand for locally harvested, wild-caught and grown seafood. We’re happy to announce that our Choose Local F.I.S.H. program has only expanded since 2015 and remains one of the Fisheries Department’s largest and longest-running programs. See below for all the Local F.I.S.H. programs we feature, or click the button to check out when our next event will be.

Contact CCE Fisheries Specialist Kristin Gerbino at kk334@cornell.edu for more information.

Cook a Fish, Give a Fish

In these unique cooking classes,  participants learn to cook delicious local seafood dishes alongside some of the finest chefs from Long Island and Rhode Island. During the class, fisheries experts teach viewers everything they want to know about the fish, the fishermen, and the many benefits of choosing local seafood, while expert chefs teach how to turn fresh fish straight from the sea into fabulous meals you can share with your friends and family!

Each ticket purchased allows us to provide local seafood meals for up to 35 families.

The initial Cook a Fish events program has ended, but will be back soon!

Local F.I.S.H. Tasting Events

CCE partners with local restaurants across Long Island to create stunning local seafood dishes with their talented chefs and kitchen staff. These dishes are then served to our guests to try for themselves and discover a world of delicious local seafood.

Seafood Talks and Literacy

Where does your seafood come from? How do you know? Why is local better than imported? What does “sustainable” actually mean?

There are a lot of questions surrounding seafood, so one of the primary goals of the F.I.S.H. program is to elevate Long Islander’s knowledge of the seafood industry, the laws and regulations that guide it, and introduce them to the people who make it possible. Talks about the fishing industry and its place in the environmental movement are given in many places, from our little educational booths at Farmer’s Markets, to presenting in official panels to promote local seafood.

Seafood Cooking Demonstrations

These demos are conducted at Farmer’s Markets, the Long Island Welcome Center, and other public venues throughout Long Island, and feature one of the many super easy and super delicious recipes featured right here on this website. CCE staff create the dishes from scratch right in front of customers who then get a free sample to try and wow at!

We’re not professional chefs! We’re just a bunch of marine biologists! If we can do it, so can you. Check out the Recipes.