What we choose to eat every day directly impacts the ocean – overfishing, by-catch, and unsustainable harvesting of sea animals are a huge threat (learn more about it here). Luckily there are loads of things we can do to minimise our impact here –

 

Don’t Eat Ocean Animals

This is a pretty easy place to start! Just saying no to seafood (for yourself, in supplements or for your pets) means you’re no longer supporting a destructive global fishing industry. This doesn’t work for everyone – many people around the world depend on seafood for their survival, and in some places other protein options can also be unsustainable – but it’s worth a mention. Eating lower on the food chain – vegetables, fruits, grains, and plant-based meals – also reduces emissions and land-based runoff into the sea.

 

Still Want To Eat Seafood?

The most important thing is to make conscious choices about what you’re eating – know where it came from, how it was caught, what species it is, and what the potential impacts of that fishery are.

• Choose “sustainable” seafood
  Look for certified options, local species, and low-impact fishing methods. Here in Australia, GoodFish provides a fantastic guide to which fish you should avoid, and which are better to choose – simply enter the fish you’re interested in and it will let you know if it’s a sustainable choice, and recommend similar (more sustainable) alternatives. Don’t just rely on labelling – some companies create their own branding to look sustainable and capitalise on your desire to do good.
• Avoid overfished species
  Skip high-risk items like some tunas, prawns, and species known for high bycatch or habitat damage. (Again, GoodFish.com will help you learn which species are overfished). Many of the fish we know and love are drastically over-fished.
• Avoid farmed salmon
  Australian farmed salmon is exclusively farmed in Tasmania, and has many negative impacts on the local environment. You can learn more here.
• Buy local and seasonal
  Reduces transport emissions and supports small-scale producers with lower impacts.
• If eating out, choose restaurants who choose sustainable
  Don’t be afraid to ask the restaurant where their seafood comes from, and how it was caught. It’s not just the species that matters.