FISHING NEWS ITEM

Conserve World Fish Stocks by Shopping Judiciously Feed

WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 2007

Individuals can help conserve world fish stocks by shopping judiciously, say conservation activists.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, which supports and conducts conservation research programs with the goal of conserving the oceans, compiles Seafood Watch, downloadable regional guides to help consumers make environmentally sound choices when they shop or order in restaurants.

“The Seafood Watch Card is meant to harness the power of commerce itself and the market in favor of conservation, and get industry support behind responsible management of fisheries,” Mike Sutton, director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Center for the Future of the Oceans, told USINFO. It also makes the point, he said, that “we can’t rely on federal law alone to safeguard our fisheries.”

Scientific researchers assess which fish populations are healthy and identify alternatives to those that are endangered. Bluefin tuna, prized for Japanese sushi, are heading for extinction, having declined by 90 percent since the 1970s. Albacore tuna is a better choice, according to Seafood Watch.

The orange roughy, which can live 100 years or more and must be 20 years old – older than humans – before it can reproduce, is best avoided. Overfishing, particularly bottom-trawling, has decimated this species. Cod, red snapper and sharks are all recovering species. By observing the watch list, individuals can help species survive by sending a message to the industry when they purchase fish.

“Fisheries can recover. Most species are very fecund, so they have the ability to recover if we just leave them alone for the time that it takes,” Sutton said, adding, “If we don’t exercise restraint and responsible management, we are going to lose many of these fisheries.”

Recent passage in the United States of the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 strengthens enforcement of regulations against damaging fishing practices and sets deadlines for ending overfishing in American waters.

Laws can help discourage reckless overfishing, but so can the market, which is driven by consumer demand. Programs like Seafood Watch strive to educate consumers as to the ramifications of their purchases.

Additional information is available on the Seafood Watch website.

Source:
Media Newswire

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