Why You Should Eat Sustainable Fish

By Sarah Cole


Fish is a rich source of protein which is an essential component that forms the building block of a healthy human body. Experts advise that we should take food rich protein to ensure we lead a healthy lifestyle. Though there are various types of fish products, animal rights activists have pointed to the need to eat sustainable fish products to protect endangered species.

A good number of consumers shop for this commodity from famous stalls and fish markets. A wide variety of canned products is also available on the market. The ever-changing environment has rendered some species almost extinct since they can cope with the new environment. Harmful fishing techniques have further aggravated the situation leading to disappearance some marine creatures.

The sustainable seafood movement first began in the late twentieth century where fisheries observed that certain species of fishes were dwindling in numbers. In a bid to counter this problem, some regulations governing the methods of fishing have been enacted to limit damaging fishing techniques. With these policies in place, ocean and freshwater ecosystems can replenish in time to evade extinction.

The sensitization program begins by approaching local fishermen to enlighten them on the challenges posed by each form of fishing. Techniques such as seining and trawling are discouraged due to the damage they cause to the ocean floor where crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans breed. Species such as salmon, cod, and tuna are examples of fishes whose numbers have been dwindling over the years.

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.

Marine conservation societies have also embarked on sensitizing the general populations on which types are sustainable and which ones to avoid. This is done by assigning a sustainability rating to the assist consumers choose which type of sea product to consume. For example, a score of one could mean the product is abundant at sea, and five means it is an endangered species that should be avoided. This move enables consumers to be aware and mindful of the need to preserve our ecosystems.

You need to follow a few tips when shopping to make sure that your diet consists of sustainable fishes. The first step is to avoid purchasing your delicacy from stock that is over fished. Any item marked red should be prevented at all costs. Ensure that you have a reliable fishes guide that contains all the ratings of the marine ecosystem. It is advisable for consumers to buy farmed fishes.

All dealers who supply marine products to various markets are advised to have appropriate eco tags on all their items. Stocking juvenile fishes that is not yet of reproductive age is not welcomed. Selling of endangered types is illegal unless you have the necessary licensing documents. A vendor should exercise caution when stocking seasonal varieties; it is recommended that frozen fishes be sold instead.




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