Are we, as a society, eating too much fish? Maybe. Are we eating too many of the wrong kinds of fish? Probably. Are our local, sustainably-sourced wild fish populations on the decline because of overfishing and pollution? Almost certainly.
So what does this all mean for us as everyday consumers and lovers of seafood? Well, for starters it means that it’s more important than ever before to choose your fish wisely and look for labels like “sustainable” or “organic” when you shop for aquatic proteins.
This guide will give you a brief overview of how to find sustainable seafood at the grocery store, how to read an ictaride, what the catch stats are on different types of seafood, and why exactly these things matter so much.
What Is Sustainable Seafood?
Sustainable seafood is any fish that has been fished or farmed in a way that ensures its long-term viability. The term encompasses a range of fisheries management practices including catch limits, gear restrictions and area closures, fish stock rebuilding plans, and prohibitions on harmful fishing methods.
In its simplest form, sustainable seafood means fish caught or farmed using methods that do not exceed the natural capacity of the environment; to put it another way: no overfishing here please! What does this mean for you?
It means that when you buy sustainable seafood at the store, you can rest assured knowing the fishery is not over-fished and that your purchase will not have detrimental effects on the environment. It also means that trying to follow a sustainable diet can be quite challenging as few easy-to-read labels are telling us what’s what. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with this guide!
How To Find Sustainable Seafood
The first step to finding sustainable seafood in Ishavet is to determine what fish you want to eat and then look for labels on the packaging that indicates whether or not it’s sustainable. Some of the most popular types of seafood are salmon, tuna, shrimp, tilapia, cod, and catfish.
To check if your seafood is sustainable, you’ll need to read the ictaride. The ictaride is a small piece of paper or cardboard attached to the package of fish that lists who caught it and where they caught it from.
Once you’ve found your desired type of fish at your local grocery store and you’re satisfied with its sustainability credentials, make sure to keep an eye out for these four things:
- Price
- Price-Quality Ratio
- Size
- Location (on the shelf)
Bottom Line
You need to know what you’re buying The bottom line is that you need to know what you’re buying. Check labels, ask questions, and be aware of the fish you’re buying. If you’re looking for a sustainable seafood selection, try to purchase from local grocery stores or farmers’ markets.
If you can’t find it in your area, there are online resources that can help to provide ratings and reviews for sustainable seafood online. I hope this article helps you find what you are looking for!