Sustainable Seafood: What’s On Your Plate ?

When we think of saving the ocean, we don’t usually look at our dinner plate. But the truth is: what we eat directly affects marine ecosystems.

Overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and seafood fraud have pushed many species to the brink. The good news? Your choices can help reverse that.

The Problem with “Just One Fish”

Popular species like bluefin tuna, orange roughy, and Atlantic cod are severely overfished. Some are caught using harmful methods like:

• Bottom trawling: dragging nets across the seafloor, destroying coral reefs
• Longlines: which accidentally catch turtles, sharks, and seabirds
• Unregulated bycatch: killing tons of unwanted species in the process

These unsustainable choices are erasing biodiversity and collapsing food chains.

So, What Is Sustainable Seafood?

Sustainable seafood is caught or farmed in ways that:

• Do not harm other species or habitats
• Allow fish populations to replenish naturally
  
• Use eco-friendly fishing gear
  
• Are certified by trustworthy labels like:
• MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)
• ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)
• Friend of the Sea

Smart Choices for Your Table

Here are a few better seafood options (depending on your region):

Tips for Consumers

• Use apps like Seafood Watch or Good Fish Guide to check seafood ratings
• Ask your restaurant or fishmonger: “Is this sustainably sourced?”
• Eat lower on the food chain (sardines, mussels, etc.)
• Support local fishers using ethical practices

The ocean is not an endless buffet.
Your plate holds the power to protect or deplete our seas.
Make your next meal one the ocean would approve of.

- Project Blue