Diving Into Sustainable Seafood

Author:
Taylor Mogavero 

Fish is constantly advertised as a healthy source of animal protein, one that is much cleaner than other meats. On top of that, it has also been exposed that animal agriculture produces tons of pollution, requires a significant amount of land, is the biggest consumer of freshwater, and is the largest cause for cutting down rainforests. With what we’ve heard via advertising and what we know about traditional animal agriculture, it’s safe to assume that eating seafood is the most sustainable choice for both our bodies and the planet, right? In reality, it’s not that simple. 

Our oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and can stretch almost seven miles deep. It seems like the ocean would supply an endless amount of resources, so it can be startling and confusing to hear that we are already nearing its depletion. Overfishing has led to the decline of much of the world’s fish. Overfishing is defined as 

“catching too many fish at once, so the breeding population becomes too depleted to recover. Overfishing often goes hand in hand with wasteful types of commercial fishing that haul in massive amounts of unwanted fish or other animals, which are then discarded”[1].

It is said to be the BIGGEST THREAT to our oceans. Overfishing causes our ocean ecosystems to be unhealthy and could cause the collapse of our fisheries, creating a global food crisis. Three billion people worldwide depend on seafood as their main source of protein[2] and coastal populations are especially at risk. If we continue to fish at this rate, scientists speculate that we will deplete every fishery by 2048[3]. With the human population growing rapidly, we will need even more seafood to feed the world, but if these destructive practices continue then we will fish out our oceans at an even faster rate.

So, should we not eat fish? No! The good news is, there are sustainable ways to eat delicious seafood.

Aside from insects, fish are the most resource-efficient animal protein available to humankind[4]. That being said, consuming less fish will alleviate the demand for it so eating less is still a good idea. When you do choose to eat seafood, pick sustainably caught or harvested seafood. Listed below are some common seafoods that are generally more sustainable (and healthier too!):

Most sustainable seafood to eat:

  • Bivalves (oysters, clams, mussels, scallops)

  • Small fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel)

  • Invasive species (lionfish!)

  • Fish caught by a local fisherman

  • Seaweed!

The three most overeaten fish[5] are:

  1. Shrimp

  2. Tuna 

  3. Salmon

These three fish are offered almost everywhere so it is tempting to always pick these choices when in a grocery store or restaurant. Even the simple rule of trying to stay away from these overeaten options is a good rule of thumb to go by. Have some fun and next time you purchase or order seafood, try something you've never had before! 

Most people have been told that ‘wild-caught’ fish is the healthiest for both your health and the planet, but that’s not necessarily true. Some fishing practices in the wild are very destructive and many sustainable aquaculture practices are emerging. The best way to know if your seafood is a sustainable choice is to use the Seafood Watch app or website. The app is free! All you have to do is look up the type of seafood and where it’s caught and it will rate how sustainable your choice is. Don’t be afraid to ask your grocer or waiter where your food came from! 

Our choices matter and if we choose our seafood wisely, we can sustain our oceans and continue to enjoy seafood while supporting a healthy, thriving ocean. 

Videos for further education: 

Will we ever run out of fish in the ocean?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNdR808jMSA

Case for Fish Farming https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_velings_the_case_for_fish_farming?language=en 

How I Fell in Love with a Fish https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_barber_how_i_fell_in_love_with_a_fish?language=en 

The four fish we’re overeating - and what to eat instead

https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_greenberg_the_four_fish_we_re_overeating_and_what_to_eat_instead 

References:

  1. Environmental Defense Fund. Overfishing: The most serious threat to our oceans. https://www.edf.org/oceans/overfishing-most-serious-threat-our-oceans 

  2. World Wildlife Fund. Sustainable Seafood. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/sustainable-seafood

  3. Worm, B., Barbier, E. B., Beaumont, N., Duffy, J. E., Folke, C., Halpern, B. S., ... & Sala, E. (2006). Impacts of biodiversity loss on ocean ecosystem services. Science, 314(5800), 787-790. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/314/5800/787?casa_token=83gOdXvAFHcAAAAA:AIrCHHOWflzoW_56Vwi1u30cRG5cgPtoK7sSFj2aoI-L8qp5aWIG3A_pddob8HWFxC3bBQKTzpCGTOE

  4. Mike Velings. TED. Case for fish farming. https://www.ted.com/talks/mike_velings_the_case_for_fish_farming?language=en 

  5. Paul Greenberg. TED. The four fish we’re overeating - and what to eat instead.https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_greenberg_the_four_fish_we_re_overeating_and_what_to_eat_instead

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