How important is it to you that your children and their children have bountiful seas full of fresh fish?  Ocean fish are the last creatures that we hunt on a large scale, and hunt we have.  The seas may appear to be an infinite bounty, but we have reached our limits.  Scientists estimate that we have removed as much as 90 percent of the large predatory fish, like shark, swordfish and cod from the world’s oceans. Overfishing, lack of effective management, and our own consumption habits are a few factors contributing to the decline of wild fish.   Overfishing – we’re simply pulling fish out of the ocean faster than they can reproduce.  Bycatch - large nets intended for one species often catch others by mistake. Fish, sea birds, turtles and marine mammals are included in this “bycatch,” and are usually thrown back dead or dying.  Add in illegal fishing, and habitat damage (from dragging large nets and trawls across the ocean floor), and we’ve got a serious problem.  The worst part is that worldwide regulation of the fishing industry is weak, non-existent, or not well-enforced. Support the National Ocean Policy by going here and sending in your letter of support.

Today, fish farms account for half of the fresh seafood today. And although fish farms sound like a great alternative to the looming “silent collapse,” the ecological impact of fish farming depends on the species chosen, where the farm is located, and how they are raised.

So what’s the answer?  How do you know which fish are sustainable and raised with low ecological impact?  Seafood Watch is here to help with their seafood ratings: Best Choices, Good Alternatives, Avoid, and The Super Green List. Since where you live makes a BIG difference in what fish you are eating, Seafood Watch has put out a downloadable pocket guide.  Find yours here.

Tags: dining, fish, ocean, seafood watch, sustainable

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