Seafood and Us

More and more people are eating fish and other seafood because it is seen as a healthy food choice and is available in an incredible variety of delicious forms, flavours and textures.

But how much do we really know about our favourite seafood dish? Do we know that not all fish are equal and that if we knew more, we might want to make different choices? Do we really know where our fish comes from, how it is caught and that some species of fish are severely over fished?

Although the oceans cover more than 70% of the earth, not all areas of the oceans are equally productive. Most fish are found in relatively shallow water near the coastlines of continents and islands. There are also many different habitats for different kind of fish species. Some species travel vast distances to feed or breed, or to follow favourable oceanic conditions, while others can spend almost their entire lives on a single rocky or coral reef.

This diversity of lifestyles and habitat means that some fish species are more plentiful than others, some grow faster and others slower, and some breed more frequently and abundantly. These differences mean that some species can handle different levels of fishing pressure better than others.

How much we catch is important - when more fish are caught than can be replaced by breeding activities of the adult fish breeding, over fishing occurs. It is estimated that 75% of global fish stocks are either exploited at maximum levels, or overexploited. How fish are caught impacts on the environment. Some fishing methods are known to alter or destroy the physical environment, and can therefore change the habitat of where fish are living.

Unsustainable fishing is therefore a reality. This means that the population of some species in the oceans have been reduced to fractions of the population levels that they were at before humans started to catch them commercially. When species are over fished it becomes less and less available until it all disappears from our fish markets or favourite fish restaurants.

Continued over-fishing is detrimental to everyone involved, from the fish and the ecosystem, to the communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing through to seafood retailers and us, the consumers.

But what is the solution? Be an informed seafood lover and make choices that will ensure a healthy seafood supply, now and in the future. By saying "no" to fish that are caught and sold illegally we can help to fight unsustainable environmental practise. Our choices can help ensure the sustainable use of our marine resources.