Sea Change: Unlikely Allies and a Success Story of Oceanic Proportions

by James Workman, Amanda Leland

Overview

Sea Change is the captivating, deeply-human tale of how fishermen—along with some unlikely allies—helped carry out the biggest conservation success story you've never heard of.

Exploring a victory for the world's most vital ecosystem, Sea Change tells the story of unlikely partnerships and surprising solutions that are quietly revolutionizing the fishing industry. Like in other ocean areas, the Gulf Coast fisheries were being fished out to the detriment of wildlife and the people whose livelihoods and communities hinge on sea catch. Fisherman Keith “Buddy” Guindon had followed every suggested policy and practice to no avail, until he—along with scientists, government agencies, and environmental groups—helped lead real change that is preventing overfishing and securing resource longevity. Sea Change demonstrates that success is possible, that the time is now, and the methods are here to conserve our natural world and the people who depend on it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798890920409
Publisher:	Torrey House Press
Publication date:	09/23/2025
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

James G. Workman began his career as a journalist in Washington, D.C., for The New Republic, Washington Monthly, Utne Reader, Orion, and other publications. He helped edit and launch the report of the World Commission on Dams, and spent two years filing monthly dispatches on water scarcity in Africa, work which formed the basis of a National Public Radio show and documentary. He is now a water consultant to policy makers, businesses, aid agencies, development institutions, and conservation organizations on four continents. He lives with his wife and children in San Francisco, California.

Amanda Leland is the Executive Director of the Environmental Defense Fund, where she leads the organization's global mission of ensuring a viable Earth for everyone. Leland previously led EDF’s Oceans program, a global team in fourteen countries focused on reversing overfishing while improving human wellbeing. She holds a master’s degree in marine biology from University of Maine and lives in Washington, DC.

Editorial Reviews

A climate change narrative shot through with optimism.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Finally, some good news! An uplifting read that will leave you hopeful about people, our planet, and the power of working together.”

—CAROLEE HAZARD, Kepler’s Bookstore

“Leland and Workman make a convincing case that empowering fishermen to work together, even as they compete, can create miracles.”
—BILL MCKIBBEN, The End of Nature

"Sea Change reveals how those most tied to the sea can, must, and are becoming its greatest protectors. This book will change how you see the ocean—and those who live by it.”
—CARL SAFINA, Alfie & Me

“Sea Change tells us the greatest environmental success story that no one’s ever heard of.”
—ERIC POOLEY, The Climate War

"Sea Change is the game-changer we didn’t know we needed—an eye-opening, exhilarating story of how bold, pragmatic solutions can revive our oceans and redefine the future of seafood.”
—RICK MOONEN, James Beard Award winner

"Sea Change is both an antidote to environmental gloom and a fair, deeply informed, and fun read.”
—TINA ROSENBERG, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner

"Sea Change shows us what’s possible when seemingly irreconcilable opponents find common ground and work together on a solution that benefits everyone.”
—DR. ENRIC SALA, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas

"Sea Change reveals one of the great environmental turnarounds of our time. It’s essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of our oceans.”
—BRUCE BABBITT, U.S. Secretary of the Interior 1993-2001

“An engaging American environmental success story that details what happens when we get things right! Sea Change is the win-win story we need right now.”
—KATHRYN MURDOCH, executive producer of PBS’ A Brief History of the Future

"Sea Change is a masterclass in how food system resilience is achieved at sea.”
—ERIC KESSLER, James Beard Foundation Trustee Emeritus and Food System Investor

“The fight against climate change isn’t about one silver bullet—it’s about a bundle of solutions, woven together by those willing to get their hands wet.”
—BREN SMITH, Co-Executive Director of GreenWave and Owner of Thimble Island Ocean Farm

“Sea Change chronicles a revolution in ocean conservation where rights-based fisheries management transformed conflict into collaboration and depletion into recovery.”
—BRIAN YABLONSKI, CEO of the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC)

“The authors do a spectacular job of capturing the promise, peril, personalities, and pioneering efforts to make fisheries sustainable and profitable in ways that work for fishermen and fish.”
—JANE LUBCHENCO, former Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

“In this fascinating read, commercial fishermen and environmental scientists overcome mutual distrust to bring about a reversal in fortune of our most important source of protein.”
—STAN DRUCKENMILLER, investor, Duquesne Capital

From the Publisher