Fish food

A day after my comments on fish last week, the National Geographic Magazine landed on my doormat. Its leading article was on fish.

Actually, less about marine pollution and more about over-fishing, but the link can still be made. With fish very much in my thinking, the stark images really got to me. Bycatch being thrown overboard - perfectly good fish protein going to waste - contrasted with the fish carcasses sold in West African marketplaces as the only source of fish protein available, once the good flesh has been stripped and exported to the developed world. Totally shocking.

Enough to make me visit the website of the Marine Stewardship Council to investigate which fish I can legitimately buy and consume with a clear conscience. I wonder how long it will take for my family to get fed up with Wild Alaskan salmon and to wonder why we no longer frequent the local fish and chip shop.

It won’t work out as black and white as that, I guess. Life never does.

It’s true. Ignorance is bliss. Once you have seen the photos or read the articles, consuming the product will never be the same again. Bliss for the consumer; obviously not for the producer. Dispelling ignorance is part of the mission of the ethical consumer, I guess. Kiss bliss goodbye!

Leave a Reply