Posted by Fiona Saiter on Mar.30, 2010

Photo Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service

“I asked my grandfather what date in the past when we could have changed and he said the date was 2010,” the little English girl says as the camera scans a dead coral reef sea bed. It is that scary image shown on a video at the Columbus, Ohio Zoo Aquarium entrance. According to the WWF, “As many as 90% of all the ocean’s large fish have been fished out.” Also if we don’t change the current situation, by 2048 all species currently fished are predicted to collapse.

When fish are irresponsibly taken many other species of fish, mammals and birds are also killed and then thrown back into the ocean. One of the most endangered birds the Albatross are injured or killed by fishing equipment. Greenpeace said with top predators disappearing from the oceans at a quick rate we may see an increase in jelly fish which will replace the fish we eat. By eating too much of one type of fish especially slow growing fish it changes the whole ecosystem of the oceans.

With all of this in mind, you may wander what we can do to make a difference for the future of the oceans and our planet. We can help stop overfishing and negative fishing practices by choosing to consume fish that are being caught responsibly and are abundant. Some deep sea fishing destroys sea corals and sponge beds that have taken centuries to grow in a few hours by dragging their heavy nets along the bottom of the ocean for fish such as sharks, orange roughy, and grenadiers according to Wikipedia and some scientist are asking for an end to subsidies paid to these irresponsible deep sea fisheries. Wikipedia says you can help with overfishing generally by avoiding consuming slow-growing fish like orange roughy, and instead choose fish that are fast-growing and breed young including fish like sardines and anchovies. Several organizations will help you make informed decisions on what fish to consume for the future of our ocean environment.

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch

The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program puts out a list every six months of the best and worst fish to consume with categories such as, “Best Choices, Good Alternatives, and Avoid.” The list differs depending on where you live in the USA. You can download your own paper pocket guide to take with you to the store, or you can also download a guide to your iPhone. The list gives consumers options to not only help out the environment but their health as well.

Another list available is the Super Green List which is seafood all listed in the Best Choices category for the environment but also have low levels of contaminates and are good sources of healthy Omega-3 fats. These choices updated in January 2010 are: Albacore Tuna (caught US or British Colombia), Freshwater Coho Salmon (farmed US), Mussels (farmed), Oysters (farmed), Pacific Sardines (wild caught), Pink Salmon (Wild from Oregon), Rainbow Trout (farmed), Salmon (wild Alaskan), and Spot Prawns (wild British Colombia), Arctic Char (farmed), Bay Scallops (farmed) Crayfish (US farmed), Dungeness Crab (Wild from California, Washington, or Oregon), Longfish squid (US Atlantic wild) Pacific cod (Alaska).

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Another way you have power to choose environmental friendly fish is by looking for the MSC label on fish. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a non-profit organization which certifies fisheries that meet their high standards and reward them with a blue label that is placed on their fish packaging. The MSC also provides information of, “Where to buy,” sustainable seafood. They list shops, restaurants, and suppliers. Some other things you can do on their website: track a fishery, find relevant news, get a sustainable seafood recipe and see other information.

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

The EDF has a print-out and clip guide for choosing sustainable fish. They list their categories as, “Fish, Eco-Best, Eco-OK, and ECO-Worst.” They also have a print out pocket sushi selector, or you can download the guide to your mobile phone for updated information. You can also select a fish and see a mini guide while also learning more about each fish. This is a website with lots of information to guide you in making responsible choices.

By being aware of the problems with overfishing and making informed decisions when you purchase fish the future of the ocean eco-system will be bright.

Find Printable Sustainable Seafood Guides at:

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium Sushi Guide

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Seafood Guide

EDF Sushi Guide

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Posted under Food Facts, Living, Nature and Environment.