If anyone has watched the news, they’ve seen pictures of our fisheries going into collapse. Unfortunately, man’s voracious appetite for wild-caught fish had decimated their natural population.
Now, many of them are suffering an irrevocable decline, not seen since the Paleozoic. But, there are ways to combat the atrocious treatment of our watery friends. By supporting sustainable fishing, you’ll be doing your part. Here are a few reasons why.
More Than 85% of the World’s Fisheries Have Been Fully Exploited
After living on Earth for several thousand years, man’s population had only grown to 3 billion by the 50s. Now, it’s exceeded 8 billion, and it’s growing ever-faster. So, naturally, many of our natural resources are undergoing intensive degradation.
Among them, natural fisheries have seen some of the steepest declines. Compared to 100 years ago, there are 85% fewer fish swimming around in the wild. That’s quite a bit more than what we’ve seen on land, even if that’s been bad.
Going to a sustainable farm is what you can do to prevent more damage from happening to their population. By only shopping where it’s sustainable, fewer fish have to be taken from the wild. So, they can focus on repopulating their massively-depleted stocks and live another day.
Sustainable Fish Tend to Have Better Nutrition Profiles
Besides supporting the environment, sustainable fish also benefits your health. Since it hasn’t witnessed a ton of stress, sustainable fish has fewer stress hormones. This makes its flesh more tender, and it impacts its Omega 3 composition. When you compare sustainable fish to farmed ones, it’s not hard to tell the difference.
If it has grown up in a fish farm, it’s way less healthy for you. Since it’s had higher cortisol levels, there’s a long-lasting effect on nutritional content.
That’s why it’s always healthier to eat fish from sustainable farms. Not only is it better for you, but it’s also better for the environment. Even the fish are healthier when raised sustainably.
You’ll Be Supporting the Local Economy
Most of all, you’re supporting the local community when you buy fish at sustainable farms. Not everyone has the ability to farm fish like that, so every bit counts. Without your support, the local sustainable fishing community wouldn’t stick around for long.
So, remember how much it means to the people who live nearby when you shop there. They’re relying on your continued support to provide them with a livelihood. Plus, it’s the only way they can continue helping the fish at the end of the day.
There Are Many Delicious, Sustainable Varieties of Fish
Quick, take a look at all the Alaskan seafood online. You wouldn’t believe how many fish varieties you can buy without ever leaving home. So, if you’ve never had a taste of halibut, consider venturing away from your comfort zone for a night.
A bit of cod wouldn’t be too bad if you’ve never tried any before, either. Of course, nobody has lived until they’ve had a bite of grouper. It has a texture you won’t find in any land-raised meats.
So, if you’re bored of familiar flavors, try experimenting with something new. There’s too much to taste in the sea to feel bored when it’s time for dinner.
It Tastes Better When You’re Eating Sustainably-Raised Fish
Ask anyone who has tried a bite of something raised at a sustainable farm. If they’ve had other fish, the difference is palpable from the first taste. Sustainable fish have more room to swim as they grow up, leading to increased muscle density.
Once they’re ready to harvest, their bodies have the muscle tone of a chiseled athlete. It might not occur to everyone how much this matters when it comes to the taste of their dinner. But, it’s much more important than most would suppose.
How Sustainable Fishing Is Better Than Other Types
Buying fish from a sustainable farm benefits you, the fish, and the local economy. So, if you’ve been looking for a reason to do it, there were a few of them right there. Once you’ve tasted how much better everything is, you’ll wonder why it took so long in the first place.
