We’re Running Out of Fish to Kill

For all you pescetarians (like my mother, who says: "I’m a vegetarian, but I eat fish."), first let me say Congratulations on the steps you’ve made toward a healthier, more compassionate, more Earth-friendly diet.

Now, about those fish . . .

This story is so important that you can read the original in the journal Science (November 3 issue), and then you can read the coverage of the story in the New York Times, the Washington Post, trusty Reuters and the Associated Press, and even Live Science. This isn’t some syndicated story: the four articles were written by four different reporters. And there are some discrepancies in the details, but the gist remains the same.

The story is: We’re running out of fish to kill. Let’s deconstruct:

• The world’s fish and seafood populations will collapse by 2048 at the rate we’re fishing and destroying the oceans (through pollution as well as global warming).
• No joke.
• Scientists analyzed data from 1950 to 2003 and extrapolated the downward spiral of numbers of marine species. The analysis took four years. The result? 29% are already in decline.
• In addition to actually, physically wiping out fish, we are hampering the ocean’s ability to produce seafood, filter nutrients, and resist the spread of disease.
• The types of creatures include everything from clams and mussels, to tuna and swordfish. Like I said: fish and seafood. Ocean mammals are also affected. Oh, and experts have also expressed concern for freshwater fish.
• 14 researchers from Canada, Panama, Sweden, Britain, and the US were involved in the study. The lead researcher is a gentleman by the name of Boris Worm, of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• No joke. Worm. I love it.
• Seafood has become a growing part of the diet of Americans (hi, mom!) and now is at about 16.6 pounds per person (annually, as of 2004).
• Worm said, "Our children will see a world without seafood if we don’t change things." That is, if we keep having children. Aren’t there like 6 BILLION people here already?
• The trend is reversible.

The not-so-funny part about all of these articles, is that what I didn’t see regarding the trend being reversible is that we could stop it in its flippin’ tracks if we put the kibosh on demand for fish. Remember folks, it’s all about supply and demand.

And as for the environmental degradation, we can’t reverse all that, but we can slow it down by:

• reducing how much we buy (and by not buying things that come in single-serve packaging)
• reusing (wash your plastic bags and reuse them)
• recycling
• driving less and buying a terraPass to offset carbon emissions
• flying less and buying a flight terraPass when you do fly
• eating a plant-based diet
• unplugging appliances not in use (other than the obvious, like refrigerators)
• switching to compact flourescent bulbs

And if you still think eating fish is a good idea, click here for some facts that are sure to make you think twice (mom).