The Fight Against Toxic Seafood

This week in Toxic Seafood, we're diving into the urgent need to clean up our oceans. One of the Heroes determined to clean up our Pacific Ocean is John Pennisi, owner of the 70-foot Irene’s Way, who is scheduled over the next few months to go out and clean up our Pacific.

Let’s dive in →

🧥 The Battle We’re Fighting:
With so much plastic flooding into our oceans, we have a huge battle before us.  There are over 11 million tons of plastic rushing into our seas each year.  The primary sources of this pollution is from Mismanaged Plastic Waste. Improper waste disposal, Littering, single-use plastics, Rivers, discarded and abandoned fishing gear, and Microplastics.

🌟 Action Spotlight: F/V Irene’s Way
Irene’s Way is one of the few fishing vessels on the West Coast that can be equipped to haul out tons of. plastic floating in our Seas. She is scheduled to go out in the next few months, but unfortunately, she has been stranded in Ensenada, Mexico, where she was getting repairs. Bandits had snuck in and stripped the ship of most all of its equipment and machine

ry. John, the Captain, has been investing hundreds of thousands of dollars back into the boat to make her seaworthy again. Unfortunately, his resources have been drained so low that he can’t afford the last $30,000 to complete his work. The boat is at risk of being taken by Mexico because of the abandonment of work progress. Is doesn’t seem fair, but it is not America.

Don’t sit back — Be the One to Start To Make A Difference.

^{Hello, I’m John Pennisi, and my family’s legacy is woven into Monterey’s story. For six generations, we fished these waters—feeding the community, supporting local jobs, and upholding a proud tradition. But today, I need your help to save more than just my boat; together, we can defend both our coastal heritage and our environment.}

^{My vessel, IRENE’S WAY, was nearly destroyed after years of hardship—first by harsh industry regulations, then by a devastating cartel theft while undergoing repairs in Mexico. I’ve invested every resource I have, and now, with just $100,000 needed to finish the last repairs, refuel, and restore insurance, I’m weeks away from bringing her home or losing her forever.}

^{But this isn’t just about survival. I have a contract in hand: IRENE’S WAY is set to lead efforts removing thousands of pounds of deadly plastic from the Pacific, bringing new purpose to our work. Supporting this campaign means you aren’t just rescuing a historic Monterey vessel—you’re helping turn a symbol of resilience into a tool for ocean cleanup, protecting marine life for all of us.}

^{Every contribution, big or small, will help cross the finish line. Your support keeps tradition alive, powers local jobs, and launches a new chapter—transforming Monterey’s fishing legacy into a force for cleaner oceans and a healthier future. Thank you for standing with us.}

The Voyage Ahead— gathering plastic from the coast of California. Due to the proliferation of plastics and other toxic elements entering our ocean, our work and expertise must be scaled up and focused on ocean health, education, and inspiring people to stop using our ocean as a garbage pail and start to effectively clean up our ocean environment

We All Must Do Our Part !