Resources on Healthy, Sustainable Seafood
February 9, 2008 by Ali
Filed under Green Living
I’m on a food kick this year, as in trying to kick bad habits and get a healthier, more sustainable food lifestyle going. In that, I’ve been doing a lot of research. More a re-search on ideas and facts that I’ve let fall out of my daily food routine. Part of this is related to fish. I’ve always tended to eat more fish than other meats and I do enjoy seafood.
However, the oceans are in turmoil and over fishing, pollution and some nasty facts about farmed fish make this part of a healthy, sustainable diet hard to swallow. The truth is that when it comes to seafood it’s buyer beware. However, there are some great resources on how to make good seafood choices. Here are a few to get started:
Environmental Defense: This site breaks it down into three categories: eco-best, eco-ok, and eco-worst. It doesn’t get much simpler. Find out what tuna is safe to eat, what to look for when buying fish, how to avoid “fish fraud” and how to substitute sustainable picks that fit your recipe. Lots of great info here and a free download Sustainable Seafood Selector Pocket Guide. Online here.
Marine Stewardship Council: MSC-labeled fish is certified according to responsible fisheries management and practices. They are an independent non-profit set up to find a solution to the problem of overfishing. Choosing fish with the blue MSC label is an easy way to make sustainable choices at the store and the organization keeps a handy list on their site where consumers will find these products worldwide. Online at Marine Stewardship Council: Where to Buy.
Audubon’s Living Oceans: Audubon has a free Seafood Lover’s Guide available in a handy wallet card. This is a great quick reference to take on the go to stores or restaurants or stick on the fridge. Available here.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: Seafood Watch’s mission is to empower consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. On this site consumers can learn which seafood to buy, and why. There are regional guides and printable quick reference resources. There is also plenty of info on why your choices matter and how your choices affect your health. This is a great site for consumers, retailers and educators. Online here.
Got more sustainable seafood tips? Share it with a comment.
