SEAFOOD – THE SUSTAINABLE CHOICE AT EASTER

April 19, 2011 at 1:19 am · Filed under Live Better, Sea Friendly

THIS Lent, if any ecologically conscious Australians feel a twinge of guilt as they tuck into seafood on their dinner plates… they shouldn’t!
Ray Hilborn is a Professor of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, and he studies and works with many governments, organisations, etc right around the world. He is without doubt the most established person to talk about these issues due to his global involvements. He co-wrote in Science in 2009 with Boris Worm (the lead author of the 2006 paper which predicted the end of fishing as we know it) that such warnings were exaggerated. Much of the earlier research pointed to declines in catches and concluded that, therefore, fish stocks must be in trouble. He says: “There is little correlation between how many fish are caught and how many actually exist; over the past decade, for example, fish catches in the United States have dropped because regulators have lowered the allowable catch. On average, fish stocks worldwide appear to be stable, and in many countries they are rebuilding, often at a rapid rate.”
Professor Hilborn continues: “Some experts, like Daniel Pauly of the University of British Columbia Fisheries Center, who warns of ‘the end of fish,’ fault the systems used to regulate fisheries worldwide. But that condemnation is too sweeping, and his prescription — closing much of the world’s oceans to fishing — would leave people hungry unnecessarily. “
Hilborn concludes: “We are caught between the desire for oceans as pristine ecosystems and the desire for sustainable seafood. Are we willing to accept some depleted species to increase long-term sustainable food production in return? After all, if fish are off the menu, we will likely eat more beef, chicken and pork. And the environmental costs of producing more livestock are much higher than accepting fewer fish in the ocean: lost habitat, the need for ever more water, pesticides, fertilizer and antibiotics, chemical runoff and ‘dead zones’ in the world’s seas. Suddenly, that tasty, healthful and environmentally friendly fish on the plate looks a lot more appetising. “

SEA’s Chairman Ron Edwards in his Easter message said, “It is important to hear the full story on these issues and we thank Professor Hilborn for speaking out as he has done so here. We must also not forget Aquaculture and the enormous contribution that this is making to the seafood industry. Whilst Australian aquaculture has not reached the volumes being produced in South East Asia we do have a great sustainably environmental industry which is continuing to improve its harvesting volumes. Seafood becomes important at Easter but really families around Australia need to increase their consumption of seafood overall. It is important to try new seafood dishes and to communicate with your fish supplier about what is in season and freshly available.”

“As highlighted by the many world experts on brain, heart and other chronic diseases at the International Seafood & Health Conference the consumption of seafood is imperative in a healthy nutritious diet – make sure it is on your family menus not at Easter but right through the year,” said Roy Palmer, SEA’s CEO.

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