Why You Should Eat Sustainable Fish

By Sarah Cole


Fish is a delicacy enjoyed all over the world due to the rich source of nutrients such as proteins. The demand for sea food has been on the rise in a bid to cater for the ever growing human population. To meet the dietary need of the rising population, fishing methods that catch large quantities have been prioritized. This article is meant to inform people why they should only eat sustainable fish that are in plenty of supply and avoid endangered species.

Much of fish available from our markets or food stalls are mainly sourced from the ocean. Our oceans and seas have an abundance of fish resources. However, not all species of fish are doing well as some are on the brink of extinction. The changing climate and damaging fishing methods are the main contributors for this sorry situation. As a result, it is important for fishers to distinguish the endangered from the abundant.

To reverse these effects, a sea food campaign which focuses on sensitizing fishers and consumers has been in existence for a few decades. Marine authorities have put in place restriction on certain methods of fishes harvesting due to the damage they cause to marine populations. These regulations are meant to give endangered species the room to recover to avoid going extinct.

Each technique of harvesting poses its challenges to the survival of fishes. Techniques such as gill netting used to catch species such as salmon, sardine as cod is very destructive since the fishes get entangled and cannot move. Trawling and seining which catch large quantities of the commodity are detrimental since they lead to decline in fishes population at sea.

Consumers are encouraged to purchase products from fishes farms and private aquariums. This is because such environments do not pose the risk of extinction to natural species. The fishes are properly fed and breed regularly, to meet the growing market demand. Marine authorities encourage this practice and offer assistance to those who engage in the commercial production.

Another popular way of creating awareness is through sustainability ratings. This is where all the varieties of fishes are given a rating which acts a gauge to how well they are doing in the world. Green is a sign of abundance while red is a symbol of vulnerability. Eco labeling leads to consumers making better decisions by easily identifying sustainable seafood.

As a consumer, you can also take it upon yourself to ensure you shop for the right product. Only buy our products from licensed fishes vendors who understand the need for conservation of fishes reserves. Take the initiative to download a comprehensive fishes guide from any marine society. This is important because it enables you to make informed decisions.

Fishes vendors are advised not to stock vulnerable fishes species on their stalls. Selling undersized marine products that are yet to reach maturity and reproductive age is illegal. Vendors should properly label their products. Where wild fishes are on sale, the label should indicate whether the seafood is responsibly harvested.




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