(3-minute read)
Well, technically, it is the end of February, but that shouldn’t stop you from learning about mindful eating, right?
What Is Fish Free February?
It is a campaign that takes place every year, encouraging people to reduce the amount of seafood they eat, learn about the impacts of fisheries, and ensure that they choose sustainable seafood options.
It is a month dedicated to the conscious consumption of seafood.
Why is Conscious Consumption Important?
Currently, overfishing and destructive fishing practices have led to declines in fish populations and the destruction of marine habitats globally. By opting for seafood that is certified sustainable we as consumers can support responsible fishing practices that help maintain healthy ocean ecosystems.
Can Everyone Just Stop Eating Seafood?
When it comes to eating seafood, there is nuance to this topic. Over 3 billion people globally depend on seafood as their primary source of protein, particularly in coastal and island communities where alternative protein sources may be limited or inaccessible.
When talking about fishing, it is essential to acknowledge that the harvesting of fish to provide food is not inherently bad. Fishing has sustained coastal communities for generations and remains deeply tied to cultural identity, livelihoods, and food security.
The issue lies in certain destructive fishing methodologies, poor or absent regulation of harvest quantities, and a lack of long-term, localized fisheries data, all of which can severely impact marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
How Can I Eat Seafood Intentionally and Sustainably?
- Reduce Seafood Consumption Where Possible: By occasionally swapping a seafood meal for a plant-based alternative, you can help reduce pressure on marine ecosystems.
- Ask Questions: Ask where your seafood comes from and how it was harvested and avoid purchasing seafood caught in harmful ways.
- Eat Lower in the Food Chain: Filter-feeding shellfish are efficient at producing protein compared to species higher up in the food chain, and don’t require feed when farmed.
- Avoid Vulnerable Fish: Avoid buying seafood from deep-sea fisheries, immature fish that have not had a chance to breed, and endangered, threatened, and protected species. You can look here to see what seafood is best to eat and what to avoid.
- Buy Local: Buying well-managed local seafood will help to directly support small-scale fisheries and farms.
The Future of Seafood and Regulations with Love The Oceans
Here in Jangamo Bay, Mozambique, Love The Oceans collects artisanal fisheries data and has one of the longest-standing and most comprehensive artisanal fisheries data sets in the country.
Data collectors monitor the beaches daily and engage directly with local fishers, recording detailed information on everything that is caught. For each landing, species, size, total volume, fishing effort, and method are recorded and photographically documented.
Baseline data indicate that the current fisheries are unsustainable, and food security has drastically dropped in the last decade.
The data we have collected is now being prepared for publication and will be an important component in developing the rules and regulations around our proposed Marine Protected Area for Jangamo Bay.
Our goal with this Marine Protected Area is to support local fishing that will allow time for target species to develop and reproduce, allowing current and future generations of fishers and coastal community members to sustain their livelihoods and be food secure.
Through campaigns such as Fish Free February, we are able to bring awareness to these conservation efforts and ultimately promote responsible fishing practices and long-term stewardship of our marine resources.
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Words by Genece V. Grisby
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog by the Love The Oceans team. If you’d like to find out more about our work, you can read about our expeditions here, donate here, or read our impact report here. Thank you for your support.
Contact us: info@lovetheoceans.org