The Need for Aquaculture

I will not lie, I love to eat a nice plate of fish once in a while, but if my eating habits negatively impact the ocean’s ecosystem as a whole, I don’t want any part of it. This is part of the problem with commercial fishing. Although commercial fishing results in a delicious dinner for me, it has recently contributed to overfishing and a collapsing ecosystem. In recent years, once abundant fish populations have plummeted. This is a result of catching fish faster than they reproduce. Men and women who simply want to sustain a way of life deplete a food source for marine birds and mammals. With the depletion of fish, a delicate balance is upset, and only we are to blame. So what can we do? One option comes in the form of “aquaculture,” or fish farming. Fish farming consists of breeding and growing marine wildlife such as oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, and salmon. Unfortunately, this is not a problem-free solution. Many environmental risks such as nutrient and chemical pollutions and escapees are threats to marine life. Fish food and excrements can escape in the ocean when not managed properly. The problem is that there is not a set regulation for marine farming like the Clean Waters Act that regulates land based farming. Escapees also pose a threat to the balance of the marine ecosystem because of the spread of disease and genetic mutations. Without proper planning and possible tagging, aquaculture could greatly endanger the oceans. If legislation is passed to regulate marine aquaculture, it provides a needed solution by protecting the lives of marine animals, and the livelihoods of fishermen. We can help by urging legislation to pass the needed regulations. To make a difference you and I can write to our congressmen to advocate national standards for marine aquaculture. Exercise your democratic voice! You can also sign an online petition at http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=14131 to save the ecosystem. Another solution for the common consumer like me is to eat only sustainable fish. Ocean conservancy offers ideas and tips for choosing sustainable fish at http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ftf_consumers_faq. Or check out this blog http://www.thefishsite.com/rss/news.php. Even though I am hundreds of miles away from any ocean, it is nice to know that there is an easy way I can help conserve marine life. Next time I pick up the fork for my nice seafood dinner, I can avoid the guilt in knowing that I am still fighting for the fishies.