Fish...The Greener Meat

I've been reading more and more how we're depleting the fish in our oceans, and I live on the North Coast of California.  The depletion of our salmon has been astounding.  I not only cannot eat farmed salmon, but I cannot eat wild either.  The popultion has been far too decimated.

Here's an interesting article by Michael Ruhlman that's farm more informitive on this issue.  http://blog.ruhlman.com/ruhlmancom/2008/01/we-the-...

Monterey Bay Aqarium and many of the chefs in the area have devoted themselves to only serving fish that are not endangered. They have a great seafood watch guide and info on their website.  http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

I think we should focus on eating as locally and humanely as possible.  Eat local grass fed beef, lamb, goat etc.  Try to buy from local farmers.  This lowers our carbon foot print, supports organic and small farming and encourages humane raising of animals.  And educate ourselves on which fish aren't too depleted to be eating. 

http://omnivoresdelight.blogspot.com

Have been continuing to track the Omega 3s in Whiting, and so far, for the species listed, they are not good sources. I will look on more charts for other Whiting species. 

Whiting is an inexpensive, healthy fat, low cost meal, though. If I find a Whiting species with a better Omega 3 profile, I'll post again, but meanwhile, also check out:

http://www.thepaleodiet.com/nutritional_tools/omeg...

http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/fish/omega3.pdf

Each mentions some very high numbers for some lesser known fish.

Best to all --- "Em"

P.S. Please visit me at: http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com ( http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com/ )

"Everyone knows someone who needs this information!" (TM)

Hi Catherine,

Good article. I will be matching several of the fish information / aquarium sites as my daughter is now pregnant and I want to give her good information that is current. I was surprised to see so many more fisheries in trouble than when I looked last.

I also have been caught with the read-the-tiniest-words-on-the-label scenario and had to throw out about $40 worth of "wild" caught fish that had been processed in China. Anything to do with China and food is a NO-NO for me. Period. I can't trust them with my family's health. So, now I look for the tiniest print, and usually find "China" on anything packaged.

We are very lucky that Place of Origin IS mandated by law for seafood. The lobbyists didn't care too much, but lobbying is why we don't have sources for other animal foods. Maybe we can press for change with a new administration in the US.

Because of a worsening economy, this past week-end, I went to research several budget sites online to check things out, and I was struck by the fact that people say they cannot "afford" seafood.

Now, as far as I am concerned, FISH is the only animal food which has a chance of being a foundational human food. Since the earliest times, in Africa, shellfish and fish bones have been found etc, etc. I think its beneficial biochemistry is important for us, as long as it is an Omega 3 source or is an ecologically sound food. I will be checking out more on current prices, but I was surprised that the charts at the link above did not include a very budget-price, cold-water fish like Whiting, which should be good on all scores.

We have always made room for fish in our weekly diet, regardless of budget, because it is the healthiest animal protein, if chosen wisely. I would encourage others to do the same.

Best to all --- "Em"

P.S. Please visit me at: http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com ( http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com/ )

"Everyone knows someone who needs this information!" (TM)

It's crazy.  They really need better labeling.  Hopefully soon.  

 :-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ), Capessa Health ( http://www.capessa.com/members/groupabout.aspx?g=1... ), Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Seriously, it's like something I should seek treatment for. I've been hunting out and cooking seafood and blogging about it for years. I finally spun off my food stuff in to Fish Wednesday dot Com. And I signed up to be an advocate for Seafood Watch, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's award winning sustainablity program. I love them.

And yes, it's REALLY HARD. You have to badger your servers in restaurants to get good information about what's on your plate and the folks at the fish counter in your supermarket may or may not know where the fish is from. I'd really like to see labeling that that's consistent and certification that works. The organic/high end markets often have someone who knows, but try getting good information out of someone at our local Safeway. Not happening.

Welcome to the struggle. :) 

Nerd's Eye View ( http://www.nerdseyeview.com )