Smart, Sustainable Seafood

I’m going to take a few moments on this chilly December Sunday to talk to you about an issue that’s very dear to me: sustainable seafood. There are few things in life more beautiful, or mysterious than our oceans. We depend on them for many things, including food, oxygen, industry and recreation. Once vibrant and teeming with life, the world’s oceans are currently in decline. Large-scale industrial fishing, pollution, and climate change are among the major threats to marine life. According to the World Wildlife Federation, two-thirds of the world’s fish stocks are either fished at their limit or over-fished. Furthermore, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 70 percent of the fish population is fully used, overused or in crisis.

I’ve got to admit that, when I lived in Toronto, one of my absolute favourite things was to eat fresh sashimi in a little restaurant near Kensington. The fresh slabs of fish tasted light, buttery and cool; they nourished me in a way that few other foods can. I always walked away feeling satisfied and energized, but never too full. And, even though I gave up fish and all other seafood over 5 years ago, I do understand that it is an indispensable part of many peoples lives. I advocate for smart seafood choices. I’ve done so as a part of the Greenpeace Oceans Campaign for many years.

So, what is “sustainable seafood”? SeaChoice identifies sustainable seafood as fish or shellfish that is caught or farmed in ways that consider the long-term viability of harvested populations and the ocean’s health and ecological integrity. It also takes into consideration the manner in which the fish are caught. Certain fishing methods are non-specific, causing a lot of bycatch and destroying delicate ocean habitat.

Why is it important? It’s important because oceans support life on land, including our own. Phytoplankton contribute between 50% to 85% of the oxygen we breathe. Furthermore, human populations around the world depend on healthy oceans for their economies and daily nutrition. If we continue fishing at our current rate, it is estimated that all fish species will completely collapse within the next 50 years. And, I don’t know about you, but I’d like my children to grow up in a world with vibrant, healthy oceans. I’d like them to know a world with gentle sea turtles, mischievous seals and majestic whales.

How do we change? We need to make smarter seafood choices. You can visit SeaChoice.org to familiarize yourself with common green, yellow, and red-listed species. You can print out their PDF document and carry it in your wallet, or there are also several cellphone apps you can use while grocery shopping or eating out. It’s also a good idea to research a restaurant’s practices before visiting.

Once you explore their list, you will learn that there are so many delicious, sustainable options for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Is this something you’d like me to write more about? Feel free to request topics for future posts. I hope you have a lovely weekend. Stay warm, and think of the fishies!

Meet Mel.

After several months of brainstorming names and daydreaming about post topics, I’m finally ready to sit down and type.

I will take this opportunity to introduce myself, because this is a personal blog, and it will be important for you during future posts to understand my perspective. LETTUCE EAT GREEN is a blog written by a young Canadian woman named Mel.

I was raised in rural Ontario, but currently reside in the nation’s capital of Ottawa. Some of my family members had to deal with genetic and degenerative disease; as a result, I have always had a strong interest in medicine and health. I studied biotechnology in the city of Toronto for three years and earned an advanced diploma. I worked in two neuroscience research labs in a prestigious research institute for many years. During my time working in medical research, I found myself flabbergasted by the amount of water, material, energy, time and money that was wasted on projects that yielded little to no results. The sheer volume of plastic waste that was created from conducting a small experiment could fill a large waste basket. And, what’s more, none of it could be recycled because of the chemicals we used. Not only was I exposed to carcinogens, but most neuroscience research is conducted in an animal model, specifically the mouse. I was responsible for a colony of over 1500 mice; small, intelligent creatures that were regularly euthanized without even being utilized. I knew there had to be a better use of my time and of our resources.

The following are a few of the important sources of inspiration for me in making changes in my life.

In 2006, I saw a film called SHARKWATER at the Toronto International Film Festival. It presented, with stunning images, our ocean’s apex predator: the shark. It is fairly common knowledge now that shark populations have been decimated around the world due to the barbaric practice of shark-finning and the high demand for shark fins in Asia. I was deeply moved by the images on-screen of these majestic, mysterious creatures. I felt that their slaughter was one of the greatest injustices that I had ever witnessed. Suddenly, I had a voracious appetite for knowledge on the topic of marine life, ocean acidification, and over-fishing. I immediately began volunteering with Greenpeace Canada on their Oceans Campaign. I distributed information about sustainable fisheries, and collected signatures to demand that our supermarkets stop selling endangered fish species in Canada. Preserving ocean life is one of my life’s greatest passions. In 2008, I traveled to Costa Rica to swim in shark waters and explore that country’s unmatched rainforest biodiversity. During that trip, I experienced a deep peace that I had never felt before. This is when I realized the importance of being present in the moment and the joy that comes from being connected to nature.

Around the same time, I read an article by Joel K. Bourne Jr in National Geographic entitled The Global Food Crisis: The End of Plenty. In it, Mr Bourne discussed the ever-rising cost of wheat, rice and corn, as a result of population growth, low stockpiles and climate change. He painted a very vivid picture of the world’s poorest people suffering in the midsts of vicious food riots, while American and Chinese meat producers fed our world’s supply of grains to fatten livestock. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) require more grains than individual countries can supply (for example, soybeans from Brazil are exported to China to feed CAFOs). To me, this meant that any time I chose to eat meat, I would be indirectly taking food out of the mouths of starving people. From that point forward, I understood that it wasn’t only fisheries that needed an overhaul to become sustainable; there was a global food crisis, and every facet of food production needed to change.

I hope this blog is a source of positive inspiration for others. There are many ways that we can improve ourselves, our health and our environment. This blog aspires to educate and inspire change in a fun way. There should be no shame or negativity surrounding the way we nourish ourselves. I don’t believe in black and white thinking; I think making small change every day can add-up to big returns. So Read On, and Let Us Eat Green! 

You can read more about LETTUCE EAT GREEN here.