There are the species above water to consider, too. Sustenance, livelihoods and cultures all fed by the sea. Jon photographs Tom Bawcock’s Eve in Cornwall, when local people share ‘stargazy pie’ to celebrate a famine-ending catch in the 16th century. Chris writes of those who still throw pilchards to the birds, in thanks for guiding boats to the shoals before sonar washed up. And of puffins starving for lack of the sand eels that have been overfished and fed to chickens. 

The answer to how we better sustain communities of life, on and off shore, might be murky. But this honest insight exposes a system sunk by human greed, and floats ideas for turning the tide. 

“I would love it if people felt inspired, to reflect on their own choices and consider, even for a moment, their power and potential, as part of the systems in which we live.”

Chris Redmond, Hot Poet

IN THE PRESS

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