When it comes to sustainable seafood shopping tips, consider opting for mussels sourced from the U.S., Arctic char from Canada, and anchovies from the U.S. These choices are environmentally friendly and support sustainable fishing practices. Popular seafood dishes like calamari, clam chowder, crab cakes, and sushi are widely enjoyed, contributing to the high demand for seafood. However, this demand has consequences, with approximately 179 million tons of fish harvested in 2018 alone, leading to overfishing and the depletion of species like Atlantic cod, as reported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Sustainable Seafood Shopping Tips
Consumers often face challenges in determining whether the fish they purchase is contributing to the decline of marine species like the Maui dolphin. To address this concern, it is essential to gather detailed information about the fish’s sourcing and harvesting methods.
According to Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly, the vice president of global ocean initiatives at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the choices individuals make have a significant impact. By opting for sustainable seafood, which is harvested in a manner that minimizes harm to marine life and ecosystems, consumers communicate a strong message to the industry. This message emphasizes the demand for seafood that is not only healthy for people but also beneficial for the planet.
Through her work with Seafood Watch, the aquarium’s sustainable seafood advisory program, Kemmerly highlights three fundamental principles that consumers should consider when selecting and consuming seafood.
Inquire with Precision for Sustainable Seafood Shopping Tips
When dining out or shopping for seafood, especially salmon, it’s essential to prioritize sustainable seafood shopping tips. To determine the sustainability of the fish, Kemmerly advises asking the server or fishmonger two crucial questions.
When shopping for sustainable seafood, it’s crucial to inquire about the fishing method. According to Kemmerly, if it’s pole or line-caught, that’s a positive indicator. This allows fishing boats to easily release unintended catches, ensuring sustainability.
According to Kemmerly, when fishing with trawling or large nets for sustainable seafood shopping tips, unintended species may also be captured, known as “bycatch.” Unfortunately, these fish or marine creatures caught incidentally are often deemed as waste and discarded. NOAA highlights that these unintentionally captured animals frequently endure harm or fatality.
Sustainable Seafood Shopping Tips in the U.S.
When shopping for seafood in the U.S., it’s crucial to consider its origin. If the fish is caught in the U.S., it’s likely a sustainable choice. According to Kemmerly, the U.S. implements some of the strictest regulations on fishing globally. For instance, U.S. fisheries are mandated to replenish fish populations to sustainable levels if they are depleted. As per NOAA, 93% of U.S. fisheries were not overfished in 2022.
Conduct thorough research for sustainable seafood shopping tips
If you lack the ability to inquire about sustainable seafood shopping tips, you might have to seek information from other sources. For instance, when purchasing frozen shrimp in the supermarket’s seafood section and have minimal details about its origins beyond the package label.
Discovering Sustainable Seafood Shopping Tips Online
Fortunately, numerous online resources offer sustainable seafood shopping tips for consumers. Alongside Seafood Watch, valuable information can be found on the NOAA’s FishWatch site and the Environmental Defense Fund’s Seafood Selector tool. According to experts in a 2017 NPR story on seafood guides, the choice of resource depends on individual values, as each may provide distinct recommendations influenced by different factors.
When shopping for sustainable seafood, simply research the fish you’re interested in, like pink shrimp from the U.S. The NOAA’s website states that U.S. wild-caught pink shrimp is sustainably managed and harvested responsibly under U.S. regulations, making it an environmentally friendly choice. On the other hand, Argentine red shrimp caught in Argentina is flagged by Seafood Watch due to bycatch concerns.
To make informed decisions and avoid contributing to overfishing, it’s advisable to educate yourself about the seafood you prefer. For instance, Kemmerly suggests opting for predominantly U.S.-caught tuna and steering clear of bluefin tuna due to their low stocks.
Enhance your sustainable seafood shopping skills
When shopping for sustainable seafood, labels such as “wild caught” and “farm raised” are common. Kemmerly advises against solely relying on these terms to make your food choices.
Sustainable Seafood Shopping Tips
Just because a fish is raised on a farm or caught in the wild doesn’t guarantee sustainability. Understanding the harvesting methods is crucial in assessing sustainability, but labels alone are not sufficient. The key factor to consider is the fish’s environmental impact, according to Kemmerly.
Keep in mind, there are alternative options when shopping for sustainable seafood
Exploring different types of fish beyond the common choices like salmon, tuna, and shrimp, which are popular in the U.S., can enhance your sustainable seafood shopping experience. Don’t hesitate to step out of your culinary comfort zone to discover new and delicious options.
When it comes to sustainable seafood shopping tips, Kemmerly suggests opting for farmed mussels due to their protein richness and minimal environmental footprint, as highlighted by Seafood Watch. Another excellent choice is Arctic char, a cold-water fish resembling salmon in color and offering a delicious taste. Seafood Watch confirms that Arctic char is a sustainable option with a healthy stock and effective fishery management.
When exploring sustainable seafood shopping tips, you might be delighted by your discoveries. Kemmerly found sablefish while seeking alternatives to bluefin tuna. Describing it as buttery and dense, she highlights its excellent preparation qualities.
Diversifying your palate with sustainable seafood shopping tips, as noted by Kemmerly, also prevents the overexploitation of a single fish species.
The editing of the digital story was done by Malaka Gharib, while Beck Harlan serves as the visual editor. We welcome your feedback. Feel free to reach out by leaving a voicemail at 202-216-9823 or emailing us at [email protected].
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