Seafood Watch is a program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has published the following information:
| Humans have been fishing the oceans for thousands of years. But over the past five decades technology has allowed us to fish farther, deeper and more efficiently than ever before. Scientists estimate that we have removed as much as 90 percent of the large predatory fish such as shark, swordfish and cod from the world's oceans. In 2003, the Pew Oceans Commission warned that the world's oceans are in a state of "silent collapse," threatening our food supply, marine economies, recreation and the natural legacy we leave our children. Despite our best efforts, the global catch of wild fish leveled off over 20 years ago and 70 percent of the world's fisheries are being harvested at capacity or are in decline. Aquaculture, or fish farming, sounds like a great solution to the ever-increasing pressures on our ocean resources. And it can be a useful alternative. Today, half of our seafood comes from farms. People are raising fish, shrimp and oysters like farmers raise cattle and chickens. But the ecological impact of fish farming depends on the species chosen, where the farm is located, and how they are raised. Seafood Watch is designed to help consumers make sustainable choices when purchasing seafood. You can carry a pocket guide with you, or use the new Seafood Watch app for your mobile device. |
Visit the Seafood Watch home page here.
You can find Seafood Watch guides for your region online here.
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Download the National Seafood Watch guide here.
Download the Sushi Watch guide here.
