A Brief Word on the State of the World’s Seafood

The world’s seafood is a diminishing resource and it needs to be valued more. There is an urgent need for everyone to develop a better understanding of where it comes from, what is happening to it and whether it is farmed or wild-caught.

Since the middle of the twentieth century, when large vessel net fisheries emerged, the world’s wild fish stocks have been steadily depleted. This is occurring at a rate that is not only alarming, but is also going to have irreversible consequences, if we don’t take the time to see how we might develop sustainable fisheries based on best-practice wild-caught fishing and aquaculture. The Marine Stewardship Council, an international non-profit, independent charity, has been working since 1997 to do exactly that: investigate and award fisheries the right to brand the MSC label on their products as a result of the fisheries’ good sustainability practices. This is not only important, it is imperative. The Western Australian rock lobster fishery was the first to be awarded this certificate. It would be really fantastic if, as consumers, we started a campaign to encourage fish markets, retailers and supermarkets around the world to promote and support these sustainable fisheries that are now emerging. If we couple that with making sure that the push to aquaculture is done with a thought for the environment, and that the quality and integrity of the product is intact, then we will be able to enjoy great seafood for a long time to come. Don’t take it for granted, however – at the moment the world is at a point where the balancing act is not looking as good as it should. Let’s do what we can for the future and our children.