Marine Food Systems: Seafood Sustainably
Food systems based on seafood have been developing for millenia. These systems are deeply rooted in the complex environments that support wild marine life, as well as rich cultural and geographic cuisines. Interestingly, while the impacts of animal consumption is commonly discussed and understood in the realm of public knowledge, the impacts of seafood remain ill-understood by most of the general public.
This phenomenon could be due to the fact that marine food systems often operate far out of sight (and thus out of mind), it could be due to a common lack of empathy toward marine life compared to land animals, or it could be due to our tendency to view the ocean as boundless and thus non-resource and non-population restricted. Although the first two options are incredibly important in our respect for these wildlife populations (and thus their preservation and the preservation of their healthy ecosystems), the third is potentially the most impactful. Just as our unsustainable views toward fossil fuels have supported the rapid depletion of a limited resource and the destruction of the environment within which it exists, our unsustainable views toward marine ecosystems are rapidly destroying populations and ecosystems beyond recovery.
This is a pretty grim introduction, but it’s important not to sugar-coat this. If we continue to support large commercial industries that practice unsustainable fishing methods and strategies, we continue to support the destruction of these populations and ecosystems in turn. While systematic changes are required to push these industries toward more sustainable practices, educating yourself on the factors that influence the sustainability of fishing operations is important too. Supporting sustainably-operated business and food systems is incredibly important for our personal paths towards sustainability as well as pushing market demand to make systemic change.
These systems are massive, complex, and incredibly varied, so we would be remiss to say that this one article will cover every base, however, we hope our guide will help you understand how these systems work, what you can look for to inform your decision making when you are purchasing fish from markets or restaurants, and what decisions you can make to help support a more sustainable future for our marine-life food systems. This might feel like a long list of discouraging realities, but stick around till the end! We have some strategies you can employ as a consumer to shop and eat responsibly and push the industry toward more sustainable practices.
First, let's discuss where your fish is coming from and some of the potential associated problems.
Wild Fish
The OG! While this is obviously the oldest source of fish from our marine-life food systems, the rapid commercialization of the fishing industry in the late 1800s has resulted in significant strains on marine populations and ecosystems, and loss of indigenous fishing resources due to aggressive growth in the industry. What are these strains, where do they come from, and what are their impacts? Let's break it down.
Overfishing is one of the most obvious issues in the industry. Overfishing essentially means that we are depleting populations faster than they can reproduce, and thus, the populations over time are declining to levels that can result in collapse or at least permanent damage. There are countless species that have been added to the endangered species list as a result of reckless overfishing, and unfortunately, the problems don’t stop there. As fishing operations deplete populations, they typically move further down the food chain, which then begins to impact other species that rely on the targeted populations for survival, thus indirectly damaging additional species. Fortunately, when these practices are identified and addressed seriously, population recovery is possible (and has been observed with species like Pacific Salmon, who’s population and habitat protection has lifted them from the brink of collapse).
Illegal fishing is another prominent issue in the industry. As populations become more limited due to overfishing, their catch (or even just catching of the young) can often become banned as a protective measure. Unfortunately, the limited supply creates large demand, and thus illegal fishing becomes incentivized for some. This practice is estimated to supply nearly a fifth of global fish demand, and can be lethal to populations already on the brink of collapse.
Bycatch is the unintended catch of various species while in the act of fishing for a targeted species. Often, the bycatch is killed in the act and then discarded completely, and can often include endangered species. Typically bycatch is the result of less selective fishing practices (such as gillnets, longlines, and bottom trawls), which can extend over huge distances and catch any and all species that are intercepted. More selective practices such as hook-and-line fishing, limit this consequence, which can save hundreds of thousand of wildlife a year.
Habitat damage is another consequence of less selective fishing practices. Fishing gear that drags along the seafloor can damage habitats that provide shelter, and displace entire populations to less secure environments.
Aquaculture (Farmed Fish)
While not “the OG”, aquaculture (or farmed fish) is still hundreds of years old and supplies nearly have the marine-life food supply in the US alone. While this food system takes place in an inherently more controlled environment (and thus can be more easily regulated, at least theoretically), there are still a host of potential issues associated with its practice.
Wild fish are, to the surprise of many, an incredibly important factor in many aquaculture operations. They often supply these fisheries with the eggs or juveniles that will be raised (much like a Ranch), or with fish as feed for the populations they intend to raise. These practices can unfortunately deplete the populations they depend on over time.
A common stigma of aquaculture is pollution and disease, and not always without reason. The concentration of populations in confined regions can thus concentrate the waste they produce. This concentrated waste can cause disease and poor health for the farmed populations, as well as the environments and ecosystems within which they live. To counteract these effects, aquaculture managers will often treat the water to try and cleanse and disinfect it. While this can sometimes be beneficial for fish health, it can have unintended consequences on ecosystem health.
Another issue, surprising to many, is escapes. While the escape of farmed fish population may seem relatively inconsequential, these species can often prove to be invasive in foreign ecosystems, and cause severe damage to a host of other populations.
Finally, aquaculture operations can sometimes unfortunately come at the cost of other habitats/ecosystems. When constructed in along coastal regions or in ponds (or other small bodies of water), these operations can displace local species and disrupt local ecosystems. Not only does doing this rid local fish populations of the protection and food sources they likely rely on, but often, disrupting the ecosystems in totality can enact a huge chain of consequential damage. For example, a fishery located along a coastal wetland may displace local fish populations, reduce their access to vital resources (food and protection), and limit the wetlands ability to protect additional ecosystems further inland. As a consequence, this chain of reaction can carry on through many connected ecosystems and populations.
Ok! So with a little bit of knowledge on how these types of food systems work and the variety of potential issues that may be associated with them, what can you, the consumer, do to help, and what is the industry currently doing to improve?
You, the consumer
As a consumer, a lot of responsibility is often put in our hands. While action to hold producers accountable is one of the most important things we and our governments can do to improve these systems, we need to ensure that we’re acting responsible and supporting ethical players all the while. So, what can we do?
First and foremost, be considerate about how often you are eating seafood. It is an amazing protein source and has countless health benefits, but doesn’t need to be a daily part of your diet. Like other animal products, small reductions in the frequency and quantity you’re consuming can make an impact. Next, be upfront with your local grocer or even your waiter about your desire to eat sustainably caught or raised fish. It's not always comfortable, but progress seldom is! Doing this can save you the trouble of research and self-doubt, and at the very least, communicates that there is demand for these kinds of products to the grocer or restaurant.
Regardless, while shopping for fish and other marine life, there are a variety of things to keep in mind:
Certification
It is now commonplace for fish sold in markets to be accompanied by various certifications that help describe the conditions with which they were caught or raised. For example, if the fish or other marine life you are buying is wild, you can look for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) blue ecolabel (this label accompanies fish that are certified sustainable to the standards of the MSC). You can also Look for certifications from organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. These organizations offer certifications that detail what levels of sustainability certain fish have been caught or raised at (for example, a Green certification indicates high levels, yellow indicates moderate levels, and red indicates low levels and thus products that should be avoided). The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch bases their certifications on a variety of other third-party certifications, much of which can be learned about here: https://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-recommendations/eco-certification
Species/Guides
Depending on where you are in the world, the sustainability of consuming certain species of marine life can be assumed, to a reasonable degree. Many organizations put out guides (which are updated every year) based on geographic location to help consumers choose the most sustainably sourced options at the time. Some of these guides (which are incredibly helpful and we highly recommend include):
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
Additionally, there are a variety of species/varieties that you can typically count on. Some of these include farm-raise clams/mussels/oysters (as they don’t require supplemental feeding and can actually improve the water quality of their farmed ecosystems), on-shore farmed Tilapia/Catfish/Cobia/Trout, and wild Salmon (the farmed alternative is typically on “Avoid” lists however). Nevertheless, we strongly encourage that your refer to these guides to ensure you’re supporting sustainable fishing practices (and avoid the support of their unsustainable and widely damaging counterparts)
Businesses
Vote with your dollar! Supporting businesses that are taking initiatives to operate in ways that respect the environment, the fish populations, the vast network of associated ecosystems, and their workers, is the easiest thing you can do to help. The aforementioned guides and certifications can help steer you toward these businesses. Additionally, much like Community Supported Agriculture programs, there are Community Supported Fishery programs. These programs, typically located along the coasts, allow you to participate in the support and preservation of local fisheries. Now, local does not inherently mean sustainable, so its up to you to make sure that they’re operating responsibly, but local does often mean small scale and reduced transportation, which typically means better conditions and fewer emissions!
Diversify
In reality, the majority of the fish we consume in the US can be narrowed down to Shrimp, Salmon, Tuna, Tilapia, and Pollock. While some of these can be easily sources sustainably, our dependence on these species puts incredible strain on the their populations, and can incentivize fishers to cut corners in their race to supply the demand. Diversifying your palette can reduce this strain, and often help support producers who are operating on a smaller scale, and more sustainably.
Advocate and Vote (this probably won't take place in the market or restaurant, but nonetheless..)
Voting with your dollar is incredibly powerful, but voting with your voice and your ballot are as well. Support politicians who value our marine ecosystems and the life they support, support bills that protect these ecosystems and their populations, support regulations that keep these industries accountable. We have a lot of responsibility as consumers, but it's so important that we ensure that those in power are held responsible and accountable.
The producers/fishers
While pressure from the public, political figures, and government regulations are required to keep producers/fishers accountable, many are taking the initiative to act more responsibly and sustainably. Here’s some awesome examples:
To curb the dependence of aquaculture on wild fish populations, many producers have turned to plant-based foods/proteins to feed their farmed populations
To limit the impact of aquaculture on ecosystems and habitats, many producers have moved inland and created “closed” farms. These farms make it easier to treat the water, protect their fish, manage waste, and are inherently less damaging to surrounding ecosystems
To reduce bycatch and its effects, many fishers are resorting to more selective fishing methods. While this does require more work and time from them, it reduces the amount of harmed and/or wasted marine life, and saves them the trouble of managing unintended catch. Additionally, these methods are often vastly less destructive to seafloor habitats.
As preservation of populations is truly in their best interest, many producers/fishers support Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which allow populations to recover and thrive.
This was a lot to absorb, but we hope you found this guide helpful, informative, and encouraging as you continue to navigate these incredibly complex food systems. Even just small steps can begin to shift both your personal consumption and demand in markets. Additionally, as we mentioned in the beginning, this guide attempts to cover a variety of huge topics, so, if we missed anything or if you think we got something wrong, we ask that you reach out to us!