10-12% of the world relies on seafood — but 90% of the world’s fisheries are overfished. How can we move towards a sustainable future for our oceans?
This WORLD FISHERIES DAY, we’re taking a look at the fishing practices that will be key for creating SUSTAINABLE SEAS – so we can have our fish and eat them, too.
World Fisheries Day calls attention to our global OCEANS, which are facing unprecedented challenges from the fishing industry. Finding sustainable solutions for fishing is important not only for fish — but for ocean ecosystems as a whole. Here’s what we can do to ensure a healthy future for our oceans.
Cast a Net on Illegal Fishing
Ocean regulations keep track of the amount of fish caught annually and monitor the population of fish within our world’s fisheries. Illegal fishing, unfortunately, makes it challenging to gather data essential for fishery conservation. It’s estimated that one out of five fish is caught in unregulated waters. Support for organizations that help monitor and protect ocean waters is integral for getting illegal fishing under control.
Support Aquaculture
Dating back 4,000 years and producing 50% of the world’s seafood, aquaculture is a sustainable alternative to wild caught fish. Fish produced through aquaculture are specifically raised for consumption — preventing the depletion of fish in our global oceans. Nearly 3 billion people rely on fisheries for income and aquaculture is considered a sustainable alternative to help keep both us and our oceans thriving. However, sustainable solutions within aquaculture are necessary to ensure that it is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wild fishing.
Sea to Table — Buy Sustainable
Avoid consuming at-risk fish species. Not sure what to avoid? Resources like Seafood Watch and Seafood Profiles can tell you whether or not it is safe to consume certain fish. The Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) blue label ensures that the fish you buy is sourced sustainably. Despite dwindling populations, many threatened fish are still available at grocery stores. Bluefin tuna, swordfish, red snapper, and the European eel are among some of the species that are popular in the kitchen — but endangered.
Donate
Overfishing is not off the hook. Support organizations which help oceans. Donate with VAKOVAKO.
