Seafood to cost more as fishing ban begins

It’s no secret that when it comes to choosing sustainably harvested seafood in grocery stores, consumers often find themselves in muddy water.

Globally, consumption of seafood has been increasing steadily over the past decade. In Canada, most of us now eat between nine and 10 kilograms of seafood each year – the equivalent of about 70 dinner-sized salmon steaks. And we buy more than half of that fish we eat from grocery stores.

For all those seafood meals, what are we actually purchasing and eating? The fact is that a multitude of fish and seafood products in grocery stores come from unsustainable fisheries and in some cases, damaging aquaculture practices.

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of global overfishing issues and the habitat degradation associated with damaging fishing practices. People are recognizing the health and environmental benefits of eating locally sourced, sustainable seafood.

While it’s not difficult to find sustainable seafood in most restaurants around town, consumers have been largely left to navigate the grocery store seafood aisles on their own. While it depends on the store, the selection of sustainable seafood products can be limited.

Independent Environmental non-governmental organizations – such as Ocean Wise, Marine Stewardship Council and Seafood Watch – have developed evaluation criteria for determining what is and what is not ‘sustainable’ when it comes to fish, fishing and seafood. These organizations provide us with information to identify potential environmental impacts associated with commonly consumed seafood products, if we go to their websites and take the time to inform and educate ourselves. In general, the criteria focus on the catch method, the regional population status, and industry capacity to prevent overfishing. For example: fishing must be conducted without destroying marine habitat and without excessive bycatch.

Clear as mud, right? The responsibility has largely been left to consumers to seek out sustainable seafood products, but now there are more tools than ever to help us with these decisions. When I choose seafood either in a restaurant or in a grocery store, I always consider the following: sustainability, where it came from, how it was caught, and of course, I seriously consider the fresh vs. frozen debate.

Sustainability

Be sure to look for products that are clearly marked with Ocean Wise, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), or Seafood Watch logos. Most seafood companies recognize the importance of sustainable product sourcing, and often broadcast it by simply displaying one of these logos. If a sustainable seafood logo is not apparent, it’s likely that your fish or seafood product is not a sustainable choice.

Where it came from?

For those who prefer to eat B.C. produced foods – as many of us do – be sure to read the labels and packaging on the product. Just because the product touts a sustainable seafood logo does not necessarily mean that the fish is from the Pacific Northwest. If the country of origin is not clearly labelled, ask the retailer or fishmonger. As a general rule of thumb, I don’t buy it if I can’t figure out where it’s from.

CHENNAI: Price of Sea-food in the State is all set to go up as the 45-day fishing ban comes into effect from Saturday midnight to facilitate spawning.

The prices of the most sought after species prawn(tiger, golden white) and tuna would witness a rise of over 100 per cent in the coming days.

Though the ban is not applicable to manual fishing boats(fiber boats and catamaran), the catch will come down to the level of kilograms from tonnes which would lead to the price rise.

Besides prawn and tuna, the most desired varieties including seer, pomfret, trevally, shark, and red-snapper will also witness a steep price rise.

At present, the State provides Rs 2,000 per fishermen family as relief to the fishing ban period which gets over on May 31. It was enhanced to Rs 2,000 soon after AIADMK came to power last year as per its poll promise.

Speaking to Express, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association president K Bharathi said that there were around 10,000 trawlers involved in fishing in the State which would remain anchored for the next 45 days.

“In Chennai alone,1,200 trawlers will be anchored due to this ban. It would affect, across the State, livelihood of five lakh fishermen families involved in the business”, he said.He added that the prices would rise by Rs 250 to Rs 300 per kilogram of the favoured varieties.

On the ban, he said that it had been imposed with the good intentions of facilitating spawning.

Chemical industries in the coast and the thermal power plants were polluting the sea and these institutions should be prevented from releasing their waste into the sea at least during this season, he suggested. “Not just the ban would help improve the marine life, but the fisheries department will have to take a series of measures. Coral reefs which are instrumental in spawning were washed away to a large extent during Tsunami. Setting up of artificial coral reefs through MP funds in each coastal district can boost spawning”, he observed.

Fish & Seafood with Bill & Sheila

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