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Why You Should Eat Sustainable Fish

By Sarah Cole


Fish is a delicacy enjoyed all over the world due to the rich source of nutrients such as proteins. The demand for sea food has been on the rise in a bid to cater for the ever growing human population. To meet the dietary need of the rising population, fishing methods that catch large quantities have been prioritized. This article is meant to inform people why they should only eat sustainable fish that are in plenty of supply and avoid endangered species.

A good number of consumers shop for this commodity from famous stalls and fish markets. A wide variety of canned products is also available on the market. The ever-changing environment has rendered some species almost extinct since they can cope with the new environment. Harmful fishing techniques have further aggravated the situation leading to disappearance some marine creatures.

To reverse these effects, a sea food campaign which focuses on sensitizing fishers and consumers has been in existence for a few decades. Marine authorities have put in place restriction on certain methods of fishes harvesting due to the damage they cause to marine populations. These regulations are meant to give endangered species the room to recover to avoid going extinct.

Each technique of harvesting poses its challenges to the survival of fishes. Techniques such as gill netting used to catch species such as salmon, sardine as cod is very destructive since the fishes get entangled and cannot move. Trawling and seining which catch large quantities of the commodity are detrimental since they lead to decline in fishes population at sea.

An emerging trend in fishes harvesting is commercial fishes rearing. This is where species that are in high demand are kept in private ponds where they are regularly fed and sold upon reaching maturity. This practice contributes to a lot of achievements in the conservation exercise. Fishes farmers can now supplement the dietary needs of consumers without posing a threat to the natural ecosystem.

Numerous marine ecosystem groups are creating awareness to the public on the why they should prioritize feeding on sustainable products. A good way has been to assign sustainability ratings to as many species as possible. A high score could mean the resource is abundant while lower ratings should be avoided. This move has gone a long way in creating a more informed consumer population.

As a consumer, you can also take it upon yourself to ensure you shop for the right product. Only buy our products from licensed fishes vendors who understand the need for conservation of fishes reserves. Take the initiative to download a comprehensive fishes guide from any marine society. This is important because it enables you to make informed decisions.

All dealers who supply marine products to various markets are advised to have appropriate eco tags on all their items. Stocking juvenile fishes that is not yet of reproductive age is not welcomed. Selling of endangered types is illegal unless you have the necessary licensing documents. A vendor should exercise caution when stocking seasonal varieties; it is recommended that frozen fishes be sold instead.




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