31 replies to this topic

[David Evans]

In light of the other thread about feeding fish, thought I'd post some links about eating them.

Since I started diving, I've quit eating fish. It's a long story as to why, and it's a personal decision I've made for myself - not something I expect of others.

However, I do strongly encourage people to learn about what they are eating, and how it's brought to their table, and what it means to the world around them. There's much misinformation about this topic, so I recommend to people that the research it on their own.

Here are some links to get you started!


http://www.blueoceaninstitute.org/ - a general website about ocean conservation with some great scientific research.
(and I strongly recommend the book "Song for the Blue Ocean" by Carl Safina)

http://www2.blueocea...afood_Detail/36 - Blue Ocean's report card about what fisheries (and fish species) are well-managed, and which ones aren't, and why.

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/ - my charitable contribution of choice.

http://www.mbayaq.or...w_regional.aspx - a national scorecard of good, questionable, and bad seafood choices from the world-reknowned Monterey Bay Aquarium research organization. Note that there is also a pop-up list of regional scorecards on this page that will let you look at seafood choices on a region-by-region basis, and a downloadable/printable version that you can bring along with you to help you at the market or restaurant.

I'm happy to discuss this if you like, but again just know that abstaining from eating fish is a personal choice I've made, and not one that I'm advocating for everyone....


-david

[drdiver]

Some good links there, guy, and an excellent personal statement. Thanks for sharing!!!

[Cold_H2O]

Great post David. I will have to spend some more time researching this. There are many personal choices we all make and thank you for sharing yours and not trying to make the rest of us feel guilty if we choose to disagree.

You are truely a gentleman.

Are you back in Seattle yet?

[scuba1231]

You know David, you have a good point. We should be more mindful of what we consume and how it affects the world as a whole.

[David Evans]

GG, yes, I'm back in Seattle again.

Please add me to your activities list for PNW stuff!

-d

[WillDiveForBeer]

Fish, Chicken, Veal, Cows, slave (underpaid) labor to pick fruit and veggies, they all have issues. If I concerned myself with every issue, I'd have nothing to eat unless I grew it myself, so I take the position as long as it is safe and meets Governmental dietary requirements, I tend to eat it. I have friends who were vegitarians and I would always ask them what they would like to eat if they came over and even bought some veggie cookbooks so it wouldn't be the same meals all the time. The beauty about being human is that we can make our own choices and the beauty of being civilized is to understand someone elses choices and respect them. I am glad that the Wild Alaskan Salmon I love so much is on the good list. Maybe I will start looking for fish on the good list

[David Evans]

Maybe I will start looking for fish on the good list

[ScubaDadMiami]

While I hope to get health benefits from it, it was a matter of conscience that got me to become vegetarian, and I hope to be a full vegan one day. I still miss a lot of things I used to eat though it has gotten pretty easy to stay the course for the most part.

It's easy not to think of where your food comes from and how it comes to be. It's also easy to focus on how it tastes good and how you like it. I just don't want to be a part of that anymore.

[drdiver]

While I hope to get health benefits from it, it was a matter of conscience that got me to become vegetarian, and I hope to be a full vegan one day. I still miss a lot of things I used to eat though it has gotten pretty easy to stay the course for the most part.

It's easy not to think of where your food comes from and how it comes to be. It's also easy to focus on how it tastes good and how you like it. I just don't want to be a part of that anymore.

Very well said!!! It's been a cheerful note to see how we all respect each others opinions. This and the related threads have really broken some new ground for the board. I've learned a few things and I think others have as well. I applaud the starters and all participants for being a well mannered considerate bunch. I've enjoyed the whole discussion.

[Neptuner]

Well said drdiver and you are right, these kind of threads are very pleasant reads.

Excellent topic David and very informational links, thanks for sharing them. I myself have a tendency to shy away from any commercial processes used for harvesting animals, only because it is exceptionally rare for any company that is in business for profit to make fair, compassionate and equitable decisions on behalf on mankind and the environment at the same time. It's a paradox of sorts. I wish it was easier to find fruits and vegetables that aren't mass produced too, but that is a different challenge.

Now this is not to say that I don't eat meat, as I enjoy it regularly, but I harvest almost everything I eat myself. You name it, I've probably got some in my freezer. There are many herbivores and fish that are very healthy when obtained on your own and they don't contain the variety of steroids and chemicals that your standard agriculture does. Additionally, the dollars spent by sportsmen accounts for a vast majority of the preservation efforts used to secure the future survival of these species and harvesting them, when controlled properly, is a critical part of the species management process.

[drdiver]

Additionally, the dollars spent by sportsmen accounts for a vast majority of the preservation efforts used to secure the future survival of these species and harvesting them, when controlled properly, is a critical part of the species management process.

An extremely good point and very relevant to the red snapper discussion that David and I had earlier. If there wasn't any money in it, no one would care.

[David Evans]

Agreed with Doc - that's a great point, Neptuner.

In general, I'm against government regulations interfering in my personal life. And where overfishing is concerned, it's not the private citizens that are at fault... it's commercial fisheries that are doing the huge, irreparable damage.

A point of information that y'all mmay not know:

All fishing regulations are decided by a body called the National Marine Fisheries Council (NMFC). The NMFC is broken into subcouncils based on geographic regions.

Seats for these councils are not elected positions - they are appointed. And the appointees are almost EXCLUSIVELY members of the commercial fisheries industry - not ecologists, marine biologists, or oceanographers, but business people.

And who does the NMFC report to? Nope - not the Department of the Interior, or NOAA, nor any other governmental organization with responsibility for watching the environment. Certainly not the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Who do they report to? The Commerce Department.

Yup - the NMFC reports to an organization in our government concerned with growing the ECONOMY.

Just something to contemplate as you think about how decisions get made regarding an important aspect of our oceans that I know we all love so dearly.

-david (who is feeling especially preachy all of a sudden, and with my apologies for being so)

[drdiver]

Nope, good points and well said. Knowledge is the key here, folks, IMHO. A lot of conflicting interests and we need to know what's going on. I 'm illuminated on those points for sure. Thanks again, Dave, for caring for the oceans we all love and even more, for letting us know.

[capt_cu2]

Hmm well I eat a lot of fish. Mostly because I am very much into fitness and need the protein source. I choose it over red meat, not because I dont like red meat, in fact I love the taste of it. Just avoid it for health reasons. Over the years chicken has really started to gross me out, with all the hormones and the horrific way they are raised. Never veal... so what is left? Sorry fishes.

But I have to tell you about a fish called Ben. I was diving off of little Cayman about 6 years ago and there was this medium sized grouper that the local divers had named Ben. Ben was there on all our dives. He would come up to you with his big fat lips and sad hounddog face. He would let you hold him in your hands and scratch his back. Since then I have see other grouper that were curious and friendly. But not like Ben. I dont eat grouper. Cant do it!

But give me a hot grill and just about any other fish... look out!

Sorry Ben

[RichardB]

But give me a hot grill and just about any other fish... look out!

Sorry Ben

I like grilled fish also, especially when I catch my own. I limit my "hunting" to deer and wild hog mostly (although I have been wanting a bear rug, LOL). I don't eat much red meat either but do love a nice Angus steak from time to time.