We all know that fish is an excellent source of lean protein, and some species provide us with a healthy dose of fish oils and vitamins. That’s why we’ve been eating seafood for aeons. But times have changed, and so have the oceans. The sad reality today is that not all our seafood choices are harmless.
Many species are in trouble due to over-fishing, and are now endangered globally. Plus, many commercial fishing methods are destructive to marine habitats. For instance, shrimp trawling is one of the most damaging and wasteful fishing methods ever invented. As a result, trawler-caught shrimp isn’t a wise choice for any ocean-lover.
Further, there’s your health to consider: many large-bodied fish like shark, tuna, marlin, and swordfish can contain harmful contaminants such as mercury. In case you didn’t already know, if it accumulates in large enough quantities, mercury can negatively affect brain development and the nervous system.
So the next time you’re dining at your favourite restaurant, think twice before ordering that mouth-watering basket of succulent shrimp, or that delicious bake and shark. Your thought process should go something like this:
1. Is it okay to eat this (in terms of population sustainability and human health)?
2. Is the method used to catch this okay for the environment?