I really like seafood. I particularly love salmon, tuna, swordfish, the top-of-the-food-chain fish. I love the ocean more, however. Its becoming increasingly difficult to responsibly consume these species of fish due to overfishing and irresponsible aquaculture farming. Despite my love of salmon, I'm rarely eating it unless its fresh caught Alaskan. Despite my love of tuna, I'm rarely eating it because its so high in mercury and some are nearing extinction (Blue Fin).
So I'm trying other seafood. But I get to the seafood counter and its hard to remember what are the ecologically responsible choices? What is chock full of mercury? What farmed fish are ok? It can all be very confusing. Luckily, Monterey Bay Aquarium has come to the rescue! They have developed a Seafood Watch pocket guide that can be downloaded from their web site and kept in your wallet or purse. Its great because you can choose a guide from a specific region of the country or you can choose the National Guide. The Aquarium has these pocket guides laid out really nicely. First, it offers a list of the least responsible and/or healthy choices that should be avoided (Orange Roughy, Chilean Sea Bass, imported Swordfish). The second list offers good alternatives to the fish that should be avoided. There are fewer ecological or health issues regarding these species and they can be consumed in moderation (Pacific Flounders/Sole, Northeastern and Canadian Sea Scallops). The last list is the list of the best choices. It includes seafood that is abundant, well managed and harvested in an environmentally-friendly way (US farmed Tilapia, Alaskan Wild Salmon).
I'm still sad when I have to pass up the salmon but I know its best for me and for the planet and Monterey Bay is helping to keep me conscientious.
So I'm trying other seafood. But I get to the seafood counter and its hard to remember what are the ecologically responsible choices? What is chock full of mercury? What farmed fish are ok? It can all be very confusing. Luckily, Monterey Bay Aquarium has come to the rescue! They have developed a Seafood Watch pocket guide that can be downloaded from their web site and kept in your wallet or purse. Its great because you can choose a guide from a specific region of the country or you can choose the National Guide. The Aquarium has these pocket guides laid out really nicely. First, it offers a list of the least responsible and/or healthy choices that should be avoided (Orange Roughy, Chilean Sea Bass, imported Swordfish). The second list offers good alternatives to the fish that should be avoided. There are fewer ecological or health issues regarding these species and they can be consumed in moderation (Pacific Flounders/Sole, Northeastern and Canadian Sea Scallops). The last list is the list of the best choices. It includes seafood that is abundant, well managed and harvested in an environmentally-friendly way (US farmed Tilapia, Alaskan Wild Salmon).
I'm still sad when I have to pass up the salmon but I know its best for me and for the planet and Monterey Bay is helping to keep me conscientious.
