Slow Fish — the pleasures of eating seafood harvested in a sustainable manner — is the topic of a Menemsha Fisheries Development Fund lecture on Wednesday, August 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.

Development fund president Warren Doty will talk about the growing slow fish movement, an offshoot of the international Slow Food organization that originated in Italy. Like it’s counterpart, the pleasures of eating well are at the core of slow fish and it’s stated mission to educate, promote and protect.

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic, member-supported and international organization founded in Italy in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. According to the Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard Web site, there are over 85,000 movement members from 132 countries.

Slow Fish involves more than cooking and eating, says Mr. Doty. It involves supporting local fishermen and making sure the fish we eat is harvested in a sustainable manner. Mr. Doty will talk about how to make sure your seafood fits those criteria. As part of the program, Mr. Doty will make a Menemsha Fish Salad from locally harvested fluke, and offer a taste to the audience.