So, who doesn't like some sort of seafood? Yes, I know there are a few people who will never touch anything that comes out of the ocean, but most of the world depends on fish as their main source of protein. With that, comes the problem many of the world's oceans are being over fished. It's not a surprise at this point. With an ever-growing population, the demand for seafood is greater than ever. Along with that problem, comes the metal, and chemicals loads that larger fish carry. Through bioaccumulation (also called biomagnification), large predator fish such as swordfish, sharks, or marlin there is a greater concern about mercury poisoning.
So, the question that comes up is: how can I make the best decisions for the oceans, when I choose fish? It's actually very easy (even easier if you have a smart phone). The Monterey Bay Aquarium has put out these amazing pocket guides to help consumers make smart choices about purchasing fish. They offer information on why the fish may not be a good choice, but also offer alternatives. The guides can be found here. There are ones for each region in the US, and they tell how you to download the guide to your smart phone.
Many people are now using this information at restaurants, as well as grocery stores and markets. It's not embarrassing, or inconvenient, and it let's everyone know that we as consumers care about where our fish comes from. So, th take home message is, enjoy your seafood. But, through education, we can all make better choices.
No comments:
Post a Comment