Sustainable Fish Eating

by Paul Tick

Not too long ago, it was touted that food from the sea was so plentiful and healthy that it would sustain a good portion of the earth's population. Since then, the earth's population has grown, as has our taste for fish. What was thought as a never-ending supply of food has turned out to be a fragile as all of the earth's other resources. Pollution, development, boat traffic, water sports and overfishing have greatly harmed our fish supplies, with impacts on overall ecosystems and various indigenous populations that depend on them for food and cultural reasons.

Below are some definitions (according to Co-Op America) that help in understanding the problem:

o Overfishing-Catching fish faster then they can reproduce.
o By-catch-One in four animals caught in fishing dies as an unwanted catch.
o Fishing methods-Certain methods are more damaging then others. For example, shrimp trawlers damage coral reefs and ocean floors, and huge fishing nets sweep up everything in their path.
o Aguaculture-Fish farming, once thought of as an alternative. But many fish farms clear-cut forests to use the land, and use antibiotics and commercial feed for the fish. Additionally, the fish raised in artificial environments do not seem to be as healthy to eat.

In addition to the above, mercury accumulated in fish can be dangerous-not just in tuna, but in many others as well.

The good news for fish eaters however, is that there are sustainable alternatives. The Audubon Society and the Monterey Bay Aquarium offer guidelines. Salmon is rated as:

o Alaskan wild-Safe to eat
o Great Lakes salmon-Mercury alert
o Farmed salmon-Environmental problems
o Atlantic salmon-Environmental problems

For more information, the following resources are suggested:
o www.audubon.org/campaign/lo
o www.montereybayaquarium.org
o Sierra, magazine of the Sierra Club (March/April 2000)
o Co-Op America supplies a convenient wallet-size list.

Good news related to fish: Due to a recent boycott of swordfish, their recovery is predicted by 2009, according to the National Resources Defense Council.

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