Emily Milinazzo

Aquarist, New England Aquarium

I live blue™ because…
I know that every effort counts in the fight to protect our planet.

Why do you care about the environment?
Growing up on the Maine coast I spent the majority of my youth outside. I developed a profound sense of respect and responsibility for learning and sharing knowledge of animal life and habitats.

Working at the New England Aquarium has given me the unique opportunity to teach our visitors about not only the marine environment, but the rest of the natural world as well. Once people start to understand this awesome planet, they feel connected to it and that connection is essential if we want people to care enough to take action in preserving the environment.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I make informed decisions at the grocery store; I always try to buy locally grown or produced items whenever they are available. I enjoy seafood so I always carry a pocket guide to sustainable seafood (available at the Aquarium, on the Aquarium’s website and there are even versions for smartphones now!). I always ask where seafood is from and how it is caught when I purchase fish or other seafood. This lets the restaurant (or fishmonger) know that there is an interest and need for sustainable options.

Read Emily’s blog entries from the Fall 2010 Bahamas Collecting Expedition here.

See her plot of ocean here.