What is our responsibility -- as consumers, chefs and businesses -- when it comes to our seafood choices?
The issue's very much in the news, especially with Monday's World Oceans Day release of the powerful documentary, The End of the Line, about the global crisis in the ocean. (Ted Danson, who narrates the film, was interviewed on CNN about the film and the state of the ocean today, and wrote a commentary, too.)
With 90 percent of the large fish in the sea already gone, and researchers forecasting the collapse of most major fisheries by mid-century if we don't change our ways, our ethical responsibilities are far from an abstract consideration. Our choices DO matter, for ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.
The New York Times thinks so, too. It created a conversation about the issue in its online Room for Debate blog. Sheila Bowman, senior outreach manager for our Seafood Watch program, is one of the contributors. You can weigh in with your thoughts in the Comments section.
The discussion is timely, too. Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, creator of 24 restaurants on five continents, has faced withering criticism -- and protests -- because he continues to serve critically endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna. He has shown no sign he plans to pull the fish off his menu.
Other renowned chefs have been -- and still are -- leaders in the sustainable seafood movement. Check out the Room for Debate forum. If you're inspired, Monterey Bay Aquarium & Seafood Watch have tools you can use to make a difference.
ADD: The Times' coverage begins with MarK Bittman's essay on the challenges facing the ethical seafood lover today; and includes three sustainable seafood recipes, featuring lobster, mackerel and squid.
Eating sustainably, in this case, happens to coincide with eating healthily. Fish like mackerel and sardines are much lower in mercury and persistent organic pollutants than big center-of-the-plate culinary stars like swordfish, bluefin and salmon.
Posted by: payday advance | September 11, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Thanks for your support! I've passed your message along to our ocean policy team.
Posted by: Ken Peterson | June 29, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Thank you for such valuable information. As we urge residents in Laguna Beach to support a city-wide Marine Reserve, the fishing lobby fires back that our oceans are just fine and they are responsible stewards. Local newspapers print misinformation with limited and biased articles and polls. I will forward this article to our City Council, but we could use your continued help. Our public workshop is July 1 at Aliso Creek Inn and it will be mobbed by fishing groups in black T-shirts. Many conservationists are afraid to speak out and feel threatened when the fishing lobby takes pictures of anyone opposing their agenda.
Posted by: Jinger | June 28, 2009 at 06:09 PM
No question better fisheries management is a key. So is creation of marine protected areas where fish can grow big enough to spawn large numbers of offspring -- young that can help repopulate depleted waters outside the protected areas.
Posted by: Ken Peterson | June 11, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Consumer choices are definitely important, but they're not the only factor or even the key factor in saving our oceans and ending overfishing. Fishery management policy is critical, so we have to look to a new way of managing fisheries (catch shares). The traditional fishery management system is failing us.
Posted by: EDFish | June 11, 2009 at 09:22 AM
It is a big challenge. Fortunately ocean ecosystems are resilient and can recover, given half a chance. That's what Seafood Watch is all about: giving consumers tools so they can vote with their dollars for sustainable fisheries. That & encouraging better management of our ocean can make a difference. It won't be easy, but it's not impossible.
Posted by: Ken Peterson | June 10, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Wow, 90%, I had no idea we were so close to a crisis involving seafood, obviously something needs to be done right now to sustain this.
Posted by: Fish Tanks | June 10, 2009 at 08:04 PM