On April 11 the Save Seafood tour came to Hamilton. The presentation began with a documentary titled "Can the Oceans keep up with the Hunt?" about the exhaustion of fish populations due to over-fishing. The film reported that the catch has been decreasing since the 1980's due to more advanced fishing techniques such as trolling that capture fish faster than the populations can reproduce. As a result of trolling and other newer techniques, "by-catch" is also becoming a major problem. By-catch refers to animals that are caught as a by-product of fishing for a certain kind of fish. These animals are often just discarded and this carelessness also plays a major factor in declining populations. Illegal fishing also contributes the problem because it is difficult to enforce international treaties on the open ocean.
As a result of the exhaustion of fish populations, the supply for seafood cannot meet the demand through fishing alone. Therefore, farm-raised fish are becoming more and more common, and with this trend comes more dangers. The fish that are used to feed the farm-raised fish are now declining in numbers and often come from polluted areas. Therefore, the farm-raised fish could contract diseases that make them unhealthy to eat. In close quarters disease spreads much faster than in the wild which poses another problem.
Following the documentary Jennifer Dianto from the Monterey Bay Aquarium spoke about the Seafood Watch Program the aquarium started. The goal of the program is to empower consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. "Our goal is to conserve the ocean. All of our recommendations are science-based," she said.
Dianto presented the results of a 2003 study that showed all of the oceans in the world are showing the same trends as far as fish populations -- 90 percent of large predatory fish are gone. She also noted that seafood consumption has doubled since 1973 and that the U.S. may be close to replacing Japan as the number one consumer of seafood. The decline in fish populations poses risks to societies that depend on fishing. In addition, the unknown is a major factor in why we should do something about it. "What is this going to do to the ocean? What is this going to do to the ecosystems?" asked Dianto. The answer is, we do not know.
Every audience member received an activist kit developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It contains a card that puts seafood into three categories: good choices or sustainable seafood, ok choices and seafood to avoid. Sustainable seafood is defined as seafood from sources, whether fish or farmed, that can exist into the long-term without harming the environment. The packet also contains information about why species are placed on the avoid list. To get a free activist packet or more information, visit www.seafoodwatch.org.
This presentation was partly sponsored by Bon Appetit, and following a Dianto a representative from Bon Appetit headquarters spoke about their mission. Bon Appetit hopes to be known for its socially responsible practices. In 2000, the company signed a contract with Monterey Bay Aquarium to work on the Seafood Watch program, and the guidelines are now non-negotiable, with the exception of shrimp, in all Bon Appetit locations. Representatives also travel to do presentations like this one to get the word out about the program and what individuals can do to help.
Professor of Biology Pat Reynolds also spoke at this presentation. Professor Reynolds is a marine biologist. He encouraged the audience to educate themselves about issues such as this, because there are actions individuals can take. He mentioned the new environmental studies major at Hamilton which spends a lot of time assessing human impact and resource management of the marine environment. He said that scientists as well as students have a responsibility to learn about these issues and share that information with others.
-- by Laura Trubiano '07
As a result of the exhaustion of fish populations, the supply for seafood cannot meet the demand through fishing alone. Therefore, farm-raised fish are becoming more and more common, and with this trend comes more dangers. The fish that are used to feed the farm-raised fish are now declining in numbers and often come from polluted areas. Therefore, the farm-raised fish could contract diseases that make them unhealthy to eat. In close quarters disease spreads much faster than in the wild which poses another problem.
Following the documentary Jennifer Dianto from the Monterey Bay Aquarium spoke about the Seafood Watch Program the aquarium started. The goal of the program is to empower consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy oceans. "Our goal is to conserve the ocean. All of our recommendations are science-based," she said.
Dianto presented the results of a 2003 study that showed all of the oceans in the world are showing the same trends as far as fish populations -- 90 percent of large predatory fish are gone. She also noted that seafood consumption has doubled since 1973 and that the U.S. may be close to replacing Japan as the number one consumer of seafood. The decline in fish populations poses risks to societies that depend on fishing. In addition, the unknown is a major factor in why we should do something about it. "What is this going to do to the ocean? What is this going to do to the ecosystems?" asked Dianto. The answer is, we do not know.
Every audience member received an activist kit developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It contains a card that puts seafood into three categories: good choices or sustainable seafood, ok choices and seafood to avoid. Sustainable seafood is defined as seafood from sources, whether fish or farmed, that can exist into the long-term without harming the environment. The packet also contains information about why species are placed on the avoid list. To get a free activist packet or more information, visit www.seafoodwatch.org.
This presentation was partly sponsored by Bon Appetit, and following a Dianto a representative from Bon Appetit headquarters spoke about their mission. Bon Appetit hopes to be known for its socially responsible practices. In 2000, the company signed a contract with Monterey Bay Aquarium to work on the Seafood Watch program, and the guidelines are now non-negotiable, with the exception of shrimp, in all Bon Appetit locations. Representatives also travel to do presentations like this one to get the word out about the program and what individuals can do to help.
Professor of Biology Pat Reynolds also spoke at this presentation. Professor Reynolds is a marine biologist. He encouraged the audience to educate themselves about issues such as this, because there are actions individuals can take. He mentioned the new environmental studies major at Hamilton which spends a lot of time assessing human impact and resource management of the marine environment. He said that scientists as well as students have a responsibility to learn about these issues and share that information with others.
-- by Laura Trubiano '07
