Are Fish Friends, or Are Fish Food?
Having a sustainable diet and knowing where your food comes from is one way to contribute to combatting climate change and preserving ecosystems. Eating fish can contribute to a healthy diet, can be culturally significant, and is more sustainable than eating other meats such as beef. However, it is important to consume fish in a way that protects these resources for now and the future. Below is a (solo) podcast that talks about these issues including sustainable fishing and fish as part of our population’s diets.
As mentioned in the podcast, there are many ways to avoid these dilemmas. Below are a few helpful links to get you started on your sustainable fish-eating journey:
Sustainable Fish Harvesting Labeling Organizations:
Marine Stewardship Council- https://www.msc.org/
Aquaculture Stewardship Council- https://www.asc-aqua.org/about-us/about-the-asc/
Best Aquaculture Practices-https://www.bapcertification.org/
Seafood Watch lists and describes species of fish that are more sustainable to eat depending on where you are from: https://www.seafoodwatch.org/
Ohio Division of Natural Resources Fishing Licenses:
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/fishing-regulations/licenses
References:
Kituyi, M. & Thomson, P. “90% of fish stocks are used up – fisheries subsidies must stop emptying the ocean”. World Economic Forum. July 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/07/fish-stocks-are-used-up-fisheries-subsidies-must-stop/ on 22 September 2019.
Leal, D. R. “Community-Run Fisheries: Avoiding the “Tragedy of the Commons” 1998. 19 (3), 225-245.
McDermott, A. “ Eating seafood can reduce your carbon footprint, but some fish are better than others” Oceana. February 2018. Retrieved from: https://oceana.org/blog/eating-seafood-can-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-some-fish-are-better-others on 22 September 2019.
Stehfest ,E., Bouwman, L., Vurren, D. P., Elzen, M. G. J., Eikhout, B., & Kabat P. 2008. “Climate Benefits of changing diet”. Springer. 95 (1-2), 83-102.