Why It Is Important To 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.

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.

An emerging trend in fishes harvesting is commercial fishes rearing. This is where species that are in high demand are kept in private ponds where they are regularly fed and sold upon reaching maturity. This practice contributes to a lot of achievements in the conservation exercise. Fishes farmers can now supplement the dietary needs of consumers without posing a threat to the natural ecosystem.

Numerous marine ecosystem groups are creating awareness to the public on the why they should prioritize feeding on sustainable products. A good way has been to assign sustainability ratings to as many species as possible. A high score could mean the resource is abundant while lower ratings should be avoided. This move has gone a long way in creating a more informed consumer population.

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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