Sustainable seafood
Introduction
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The ready availability of all kinds of seafood at markets and restaurants gives the impression that the world's fish are abundant. The truth is the oceans are in trouble and more than two-thirds — nearly 70 percent — of the world's fisheries are fully fished or over fished, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Wild catches are regulated, but consumer demand for seafood is not. People demand a constant year-round supply of seafood such as salmon and shrimp, regardless of season. But fish are seasonal, too, like other animals and plants.
Modern-day fishing technologies are so sophisticated, many species have been depleted and those left have no place to hide. What's a seafood lover to do, especially as studies suggest a diet rich in fish is good for us?
The emergence of sustainable seafood programs at retailers such as PCC Natural Markets makes it easy for consumers to support sustainable fisheries. Consumers can help heal and restore the oceans, instead of furthering degradation, through the choices they make in seafood.
PCC's sustainable seafood program follows release in April 2004 of a preliminary report by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy to Congress. The commission conducted the first comprehensive federal study of the oceans in 30 years and urged some bold reforms to reverse distressing declines in ocean health and for sustainable oceans.
In June 2003, the independent Pew Oceans Commission completed its own study, warning that the nation's coastal areas are in crisis. The findings are expected to pressure Congress and the White House to adopt measures to protect our oceans.
For the first time in history, in 2004, oceans were represented by a political action committee. A non-partisan group called Ocean Champions (www.oceanchampions.org) is tracking coastal communities and supporting candidates that it hopes will support a "blue movement" to protect our oceans.