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Changing dietary habits -

With climate change in full swing and the meat and dairy industries under the spotlight, vegetarianism and veganism are on the rise.

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The problem of protein -

Fewer people are consuming animals and their products, and some are left wondering how best to ensure they have enough protein in their diet.

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Pescatarianism -

For some would-be vegetarians, the answer is to eat pescatarian instead. That is to say, to continue eating fish, but eschew all other forms of meat.

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Seafood sustainability -

The problem with that is that while seafood is a great source of protein, it is not always so great from a sustainability perspective.

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Making good choices -

Indeed, the seafood eaters among us often have a difficult time choosing which is the best option if we want to make sure our diet is sustainable.

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Complex picture -

The seafood category is very diverse. It includes around 2,500 different edible species, and there are a number of different production methods.

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A strong starting point - A good place to start if you are looking to eat seafood sustainably is to consult a resource such as the UK's Marine Conservation Society’s ‘Good Fish Guide.’

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'Good Fish Guide' -

This searchable guide operates a traffic light system to show consumers how sustainable certain seafood options are.

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How it works -

Factors taken into account when determining the rating of a product include local regulations, the management of fisheries and farms, and the health of fish stocks.

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Seafood Watch -

The 'Good Fish Guide' is UK-based, but there is a US-based equivalent in the ‘Seafood Watch’ by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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What about labels? -

It is also worth paying attention to the labels on fish packets in supermarkets, and checking whether they refer to a certification, such as the Marine Stewardship Council blue tick.

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Is it reliable? - While some of these certifications have been criticized for their lack of reliability, many experts nonetheless recommend taking these into account when making decisions.

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Expert knowledge -

According to Jack Clarke at the Marine Conservation Society, for example, these certifications are a "great way of just quickly and easily identifying whether something's a sustainable choice."

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Caveat - It is worth considering, however, that obtaining these certifications requires manpower. Some smaller fisheries may not have access to this, even if they are acting sustainably.

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Read with caution -

While they can act as a guide, indeed it is best not to rely solely on the label of a product to determine whether it was sustainably farmed.

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Choosing a species - It is also worth taking into account the species when considering which seafood to consume. As a general rule, species lower down on the food chain are more sustainable.

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The importance of the food chain -

This is because species higher on the food chain, such as salmon, were traditionally fed on smaller fish, such as mackerel and sardines. This is an indefensible waste of energy.

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To be avoided -

Further to this, certain species are best avoided altogether. Shark and bluefin tuna are the most often-cited examples.

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Irresponsible farming - Prawn and shrimp, too, can deplete fish stocks and impact coastal protection when farmed in the wrong way.

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Diversification -

Diversifying the species of seafood you consume is another good step to take. As it stands, 62% of the seafood consumed in the US is made up of just five species.

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Overfishing -

This lack of diversity puts an inordinate amount of pressure on the species that are most favored and increases the risk of overfishing.

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Taking action - So next time you're considering having fish for dinner, think about swapping your go-to seafood species for one that is less well known.

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Possible alternatives - Farmed trout, for example, can replace salmon, and hake is a great substitute for cod. And for their part, mussels are usually farmed in a much more sustainable way than prawns.

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Going local -

You may also find that by diversifying your menu, you seek out more local options for species that are being sustainably farmed.

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Accountability -

Notwithstanding all of the above, arguably the most important thing you can do to encourage sustainable seafood consumption is to hold those in the supply chain accountable.

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Ask questions -

Make a point of asking your restaurant or retailer whether their seafood is sustainable. The more customers who ask this question, the more likely it is they will demand sustainable options from their suppliers.

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Doing your part -

In this way you can make sure you’re doing your bit for the planet by simply asking a question. 

Sources: (BBC) (BBC Good Food)

See also: Sustainable alternatives to avocado

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