Responsible Seafood Eating

The New York Times is reporting that coral reef populations are being devastated by a new trend in seafood dining - reef fish. Live reef fish are a popular new restaurant item in Southeast Asia, which is causing serious problems for a population that is already in trouble.

The Environmental Defense Fund keeps a short list of fish species which are considered a sustainable harvest. The full list can be found here, and groups fish by "best," "okay," and "worst." Fish on the "best" list include anchovies, mussels, Alaska wild salmon, farmed rainbow trout, albacore tuna and Dungeness crab. They also post a similar list for sushi choices. Interestingly enough, farmed salmon is considered "worst" on this and other lists.

The Environmental Defense Fund's list tracks not only sustainable populations, but also the method by which the fish are caught. Fish on the "best" list are caught with fishing gear that has the minimum impact on the sea floor and other non-target fish species. For farmed fish, the decision is based on whether or not pollution can be contained (as with farmed rainbow trout, which are raised in stand-alone pools.) Fish on their "good" list are also rated low as a health risk to diners, from environmental pollution.

Worldwide, fisheries are in trouble from overfishing and environmental degradation. Moving forward, it behooves us to start making decisions that will benefit both ourselves and our planet. In some cases these decisions will be difficult. But when it comes to seafood, the choice is easy. Skip the grouper, and go for the Pacific Halibut!