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Seafood Watch
Posted on Apr 2 2007, 04:48 PM
When it comes to dating, there are plenty of fish in the sea. When it comes to actual seafood, it’s no longer the case. Some species are dangerously close to becoming endangered, if not extinct. Years of unsustainable practices such as overfishing and habitat damage are contributing to the depletion of the world’s seafood supplies. As an avid fan of sushi and other seafood, this disturbs me. We can all do our part to be conscientious eaters. I can’t imagine a world without sushi, one of my favorite foods.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has put together an excellent website explaining the situation and what we can do as consumers. Check out this handy seafood guide. They even have samples letters you can mail to businesses to help educate them. Go here and check out the Increase Awareness section.
With the depletion of seafood, jobs are also being adversely affected. According to Environmental Defense, “More than 72,000 jobs have been lost in the Pacific Northwest alone.” Read more of their findings here.
This post has been edited by mobyfan on Apr 2 2007, 04:56 PM
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has put together an excellent website explaining the situation and what we can do as consumers. Check out this handy seafood guide. They even have samples letters you can mail to businesses to help educate them. Go here and check out the Increase Awareness section.
With the depletion of seafood, jobs are also being adversely affected. According to Environmental Defense, “More than 72,000 jobs have been lost in the Pacific Northwest alone.” Read more of their findings here.
This post has been edited by mobyfan on Apr 2 2007, 04:56 PM
Posted on Apr 2 2007, 05:53 PM
I haven't had a chance to read through the info you forwarded onto me yet, Pam, but I've heard a bit about this in passing before too. I don't doubt that there's some truth in this if not a lot of truth, but I'd be pessimistic about people changing their food habits voluntarily out of a desire to do the right thing, especially when we all know way too many people who will sneer and be happy that it means he/she can have even more fish.
This sounds like this is a variant of the phenomena known as the tradgedy of the commons. If the price of ecological damage is not passed into the cost of the food items, I don't know how you prevent people the world over from rushing the gate to grab more. The price of fish has to go way up before we'll see anything begin to happen. That's not likely to happen until it's too late or until there's government action the world over to protect fishing habitats.
On a related note, there's that current problem with colonies of bees mysteriously dying, which has brought a lot of references to Albert Einstein's speculation that if the bees become extinct, human life has about four years left on the planet because they're catalysts for the foundation of the food chain as pollenators.
This sounds like this is a variant of the phenomena known as the tradgedy of the commons. If the price of ecological damage is not passed into the cost of the food items, I don't know how you prevent people the world over from rushing the gate to grab more. The price of fish has to go way up before we'll see anything begin to happen. That's not likely to happen until it's too late or until there's government action the world over to protect fishing habitats.
On a related note, there's that current problem with colonies of bees mysteriously dying, which has brought a lot of references to Albert Einstein's speculation that if the bees become extinct, human life has about four years left on the planet because they're catalysts for the foundation of the food chain as pollenators.
Posted on Apr 2 2007, 07:29 PM
It also brings to mind parallels with gas prices. I agree, ecological costs have to be added before anyone will change their habits. We have $3 a gallon gasoline and people complain, yet they still think it's a good idea to buy gaz-guzzling SUVs! I don't get it.
SF was also talking about charging customers for plastic bags when they go shopping. While I have been bringing my own bags to the grocery store for 10 years, I recognize that's not the norm. Oftentimes, the bagger doesn't know what to do with my bags and automatically starts using the store's bags. I wish I could bring my own bags to other stores but most stores frown on it as it could raise security issues (one could easily shoplift if they bring their own roomy bags.) Also, in SF a lot of people walk or take public transportation so I don't think the proposed bag rule is practical. I keep my bags in my car but city-dwellers shouldn't have to carry a bag with them each time they go out.
SF was also talking about charging customers for plastic bags when they go shopping. While I have been bringing my own bags to the grocery store for 10 years, I recognize that's not the norm. Oftentimes, the bagger doesn't know what to do with my bags and automatically starts using the store's bags. I wish I could bring my own bags to other stores but most stores frown on it as it could raise security issues (one could easily shoplift if they bring their own roomy bags.) Also, in SF a lot of people walk or take public transportation so I don't think the proposed bag rule is practical. I keep my bags in my car but city-dwellers shouldn't have to carry a bag with them each time they go out.
