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[1] Atlantic cod (photo via Public Library of Science journal [PLOS] CC License 4.0).
[2] Black abalone (photo by Jan Delsing | Public Domain).
[3] European eel (photo by Gerard M license CC-BY-SA 3.0).
[4] Giant clam (photo CC License CC-BY-SA 4.0).
[5] Giant sea bass (photo by Caitlin Charles License CC-BY-SA 2.0).
[6] Orange roughy (photo NOAA Photo Library License CC-BY 2.0).
[7] VOA correspondent Steve Herman at a sturgeon farm in South Korea (photo Voice Of America | Public Domain).
[8] If you eat bluefin tuna, choose another variety. See the footnote‡ (photo © Ahtziri Lagarde | Unsplash).
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June 8th, World Oceans Day, is a day for humankind to honor the ocean. The first thing you can do, on any day, is to buy only sustainable seafood. Avoid eating endangered species—which are endangered, of course, because they are so popular.
Whatever fish you want, there’s a thriving species that’s just as satisfying.
For years, the Monterey Bay Acquarium Seafood Watch has been guiding consumers and food service to make better choices.
Head here to download a guide, or download the app.
POPULAR & ENDANGERED SPECIES
[9] It may be delicious, but if it’s on the endangered or vulnerable species list, choose something else that’s just as tasty—and tell the store or restaurant to offer sustainable seafood (photo © David Food Photo Tasty | Unspash).
Many seafood species are currently classified as endangered or vulnerable due to overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution†. Here are some examples.
Endangered Fish
Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) stocks are everely depleted in the Northwest Atlantic (photo #1).
Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) are over fished for sushi‡ (photo #8).
European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) is critically endangered, threatened by barriers to migration† and illegal trade (photo #3).
Giant Sea Bass (Stereolepis gigas) is vritically endangered due to overfishing off California and Mexico (photo #5).
Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) are very slow-growing and vulnerable to deep-sea trawling (photo #6).
Sturgeon (Acipenser, most species): Many species are endangered; targeted for their roe (caviar). Farmed caviar is a viable option (photo #7).
Endangered Shellfish and Mollusks
Abalone (especially white [Haliotis sorenseni] and black [Haliotis cracherodii] abalone): Critically endangered due to overharvesting and disease (photo #2).
Giant Clam (Tridacna.spp*): Threatened by harvesting and reef destruction (photo #4).
Queen Conch (Aliger gigas): Overfished in the Caribbean.
HOW ABOUT TRYING ONE OF THESE, TOO?
In addition to making ocean-friendly food choices, you can:
At The Seashore
Participate in a shore cleanup.
Reduce plastic and waste by bringing food in reusable containers or recycle what you purchase there.
Choose reef-safe sunscreen to avoid harming coral reefs.
Anywhere
Support marine conservation. Donate to or volunteer with nonprofits like Oceana, Coral Restoration Foundation, and Surfrider Foundation.
One of our favorite ways follows.
“ADOPT” A SEA TURTLE OR A CORAL REEF
We like to give animal “adoption” gifts to friends who don’t need or want more “stuff.” Check out these organizations:
Adopt a Sea Turtle
Sea Turtle Conservancy enables you to adopt a specific turtle with GPS tracking.
World Wildlife Fund is kid-appropriate, with a plush turtle toy and photo with the adoption certificate (photo #10).
Your local aquarium may also have a program.
Adopt a Coral Reef
Coral Restoration Foundation will plant plant your on a reef in the Florida Keys.
The Ocean Foundation/Ocean Agency focuses on global coral restoration.
CHECK OUT THESE PHOTO GLOSSARIES
> The different types of fish and seafood: a photo glossary.
> The different types of crab.
> The differrent types of smoked salmon.
> The different types of sushi and sashimi.
> The different types of tuna.
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Tridacna.spp: spp is the abbreviation for species pluralis, Latin for multiple species. This means that all species in giant clam genus, Tricchadna, are endangered.
†Barriers to migration and propagation include dams, culverts and Road crossings; weirs, locks, and floodgates; water extraction infrastructure; levees and channelization; urban development; climate change–induced barriers (droughts, warming waters, altered flow regimes); and pollution.
The European eel is just one example where there are thousands of barriers across its migratory route from European rivers to the Sargasso Sea.
‡Tuna issues: As of this writing, The Monterey Seafood Watch lists all tuna as “avoid.” However, per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Atlantic bluefin tuna have made a remarkable comeback and moved off of the endangered species list entirely, although southern bluefin remain endangered and Pacific bluefin is vulnerable.
Bluefin is the costliest and served at higher-end restaurants. Most regular sushi establishments use other tuna species like yellowfin (ahi) or bigeye tuna instead. Both are more affordable and sustainable.
Here are the different species of tuna.
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