Is Seafood Still Healthy? Fishing for Answers.
Fish Story
Curious about the benefits of eating fish and seafood in an ocean of conflicting informtion?
The benefits of Omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA) are undeniable: they help to minimize depression, support eye health, lower blood pressure, are cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and critical for the developing fetus – and that’s just a few of Omega-3’s superpowers.
Can I Get DHA and EPA From Nuts?
Historically there’s been a darker side to the fish industry both for humans and aqua cultures and to minimize risk to yourself and the planet, perhaps you’ve shied away from fish and seafood. This decision may be buoyed by newsprint, social media, and misleading ads suggesting that the body can easily get all the DHA and EPA required by including nuts and seeds in your diet. It’s true your body converts alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in nuts and seeds to DHA and EPA, but the conversion is poor, making it nearly impossible to obtain sufficient quantities. So, what can you do to ensure you’re getting quality fish to support your health, while not contributing to overfishing or harming the environment? Luckily, there are several organizations fighting to protect, support, and maintain not only the fishing industry but the health of the fish and oceans. Recent research has spearheaded the development of regenerative and sustainable farming, and the savvy consumer can confidently serve fish knowing they are making healthy choices that don’t negatively impact the environment.
Country of Origin Counts
Consumers who choose wild-caught or farmed fish labeled with the “United States” as their country of origin can confidently include this omega-3-rich source of protein, knowing that the fish are sustainably raised. The United States has robust fishery management laws that prevent overfishing, strive to rebuild commercially harvested species, and dissuade or penalize fishing practices that promote poor practices. This group of laws, including Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the National Aquaculture Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act laid the groundwork for ecosystem-based management practices designed to maintain or rebuild fish stocks. Fish and seafood producers from the US understand the legalities of harvesting sustainably, and many producers within the industry strive to include additional certifications to inform their customers.
Guiding Safe Fish and Seafood Choices
To understand where your fish and seafood are coming from, reference the Monterey Bay Aquarium guide to help make informed choice about fish/seafood selection. This comprehensive program examines several different factors including overfishing, bycatch, impact on food webs, habitat disturbance and more. Fish are graded into one of three categories including: “Best Choice,” “Good Alternative” and “Avoid”, making it easier for the consumer to make the healthiest choice for themselves and the planet. Since the environmental impact of a fish depends on where and how it was caught or raised, Seafood Watch advisories don’t apply to entire species. Instead, they focus on fish from specific regions and catch methods. Check out the Seafood Watch website https://www.seafoodwatch.org/ for the clearest and most up to date information.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an International Non-Profit that works with scientists, fisheries and industry experts and seeks to end overfishing, and ensure that fish and seafood are sustainably caught. By utilizing their fishery certification program, fisheries contribute to the health of the world’s oceans through sustainable fishing practices. The MSC blue fish label means that there are sufficient fish left in the sea to reproduce indefinitely (sustainable), that the long-term health of the fish population isn’t compromised nor is the surrounding wildlife and ecosystem. It also shows the fishery is committed to transforming the industry to one that is sustainable for the fish and eco-system. Consumers can feel confident that by purchasing fish or seafood with the MSC Blue Fish Label, they will be enjoying fish that is wild-caught, certified sustainable, or sourced from a fishery that is certified by MSC.
Know Your AquaCulture
The AquaCulture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification outlines indicators that include legal, environmental, and social standards for responsible fish farming. This certification minimizes the impact on the environment while safeguarding the health of the fish and ensuring safe working conditions for employees. Standards were created through extensive collaboration with scientists, conservation groups, NGO’s, aquaculture producers and processors, as well as retail/food service companies. Fish produced under the ASC certification assures buyers, retailers, and consumers that the fish are responsibly farmed. Ongoing monitoring and transparency of aquaculture production maintains fishery certification and ensures the public of the highest standard of production. Currently, there are 11 ASC standards for 17 species groups of fish and bivalves. Look for the ASC Label on fish and bivalve species typically found in the US: clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, freshwater trout, salmon, shrimp, and tilapia.
The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) seeks to advance responsible fishing and farming practices. This organization has pooled seafood industry leaders, academia, and NGOs to develop standards that minimize the environmental impact of fishing while also addressing social responsibility, animal health, and food safety. They created Best Seafood Practices (BSP), which focuses on social responsibility and safe working conditions, including workers’ rights, safety systems, and general well-being. Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) is a certification stamp found on GSA fish and seafood that has met the standards of GSA and is farmed responsibility.
Finding Fish You Can Trust
Fortunately, there are several resources available to consumers that provide confidence in making a healthy choice. Seatopia is the new shining buoy in the fisheries to the consumer market. Their sustainable and regenerative fish farms are clean, healthy, and won’t harm wild sea life. Their Fish is flash frozen to maintain quality and shipped directly to consumers in compostable boxes. (www.seatopia.com
Several Alaskan-based companies that ship wild-caught fish and seafood directly to your door include the Wild Alaskan Seafood Company, Alaska Gold Brand, and Great Alaska Seafood. If you are looking for fish at your local fishmonger or supermarket, look for those fish that are produced in the US, or have any of the above-referenced certifications.
Clean Fish is a dynamic company that unites innovative producers and leaders in the field of responsible farming and fishing. Clean Fish champions these companies in the marketplace under a traceable, transparent brand for seafood that’s the best of the season. Visit their website to learn more about species, farms, and products they represent and where you can purchase them.
Fish For Pregnancy
Controlled trials and observational studies show that the development of a baby’s brain and nervous system is optimized when the mother’s diet is rich in omega three fats during pregnancy and lactation. However, it is recommended to avoid larger predatory fish such as King Mackerel, Tilefish, Shark, or Swordfish. Cooking fish and seafood is advised to avoid exposure to potential bacteria and viruses.
Check out my Shiitake Mushroom Sauté recipe.