To mark World Oceans Day, Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program proudly launched Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and YEW restaurant + bar as a new Ocean Wise partner. As part of its commitment to serving sustainable seafood, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver will debut its partnership by hosting a series of ocean-friendly events for the public.
Earlier today, a large-scale art installation of a five-foot giant prawn was unveiled in the hotel’s lobby, demonstrating that small things are becoming big problems in today’s oceans. Created by local marketing agency St. Bernardine, the sculpted prawn is composed of an interior wood frame with a papier maché exterior, keeping within the sustainability theme.
The sculpture will remain on display through June 27. After that date, the sculpture will move to Vancouver Aquarium and make an appearance at future Ocean Wise events.
Marine educators from the Vancouver Aquarium were stationed in the hotel lobby with mobile touch pools. Visitors are invited to the Four Seasons Vancouver’s hotel lobby this weekend from noon to 4 pm to interact with live aquatic animals and learn about their connection to the ocean.
“It is critical to know where our food comes from – for our planet and its sustainability,” according to Ned Bell. “This World Oceans Day, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is proud to join the growing number of Ocean Wise partners all across Canada in their commitment to sourcing and providing ocean-friendly seafood options.”
The Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program is a national conservation initiative created to both educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood. Choosing restaurant dishes with the Ocean Wise symbol next to them is the Vancouver Aquarium’s assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. Ocean Wise works with over 450 partners across Canada.
“Overfishing is among the biggest issues facing today’s oceans, and there is a critical need for raised awareness and swift action to ensure that seafood supplies remain healthy and abundant,” says Mike McDermid, Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise partner relations manager. “With the support of new partners such as Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver and YEW restaurant + bar, we are working towards our goal of providing more ocean-friendly seafood options to consumers, and helping them make informed decisions about what to put on their plates.”
McDermid recently spoke about the fact that 90% of all large predatory fish are now depleted from our world’s oceans at Vancouver Foodster’s Food Talks. Overfishing is the greatest threat to our oceans today.
[Mike McDermid of Ocean Wise]
This evening, Executive Chef Ned Bell of YEW restaurant + bar will host a sumptuous ocean-friendly dinner featuring Ocean Wise menu selections – paired with premium wines – inspired by the oceans of the world: Indian, Pacific, Atlantic and Southern. A portion of the proceeds will support the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program.
Tickets to tonight’s dinner are $160 each (all-inclusive). Reservations can be made either by phone at 604.609.5480 or via email: emily.walker [at] four seasons [dot] com.
Additional Four Seasons Hotel photos can be viewed here.
