Yeah I was on that band wagon. Then there was the reactions of my closest friends. And it usually went something like this. I would start to speak about tuna and immediately eyes would roll and they would start to question how we possibly could be friends. I will admit it was frustrating at times to not have the support for a cause that I cared so deeply about...or I thought I cared about. I mean I went so far as to do this to one of my boards. 
But, I really got to thinking about our relationship to fish. Yes, our relationship to fish, especially tuna. There is this quality that tuna has. If you have ever taken a tuna steak, rolled in in sesame seeds, then seared it you know what I’m talking about. Also, if you’ve taken the belly of that tuna fileted it ever so perfectly, and then dipped it in soy sauce you know what I’m talking about. And also, if you have ever had a tuna steak medium rare with a white wine sauce you know what I’m talking about. Tuna is fantastic. And it is by no means the lone fish in the piscivoric sea (original pun), or in the seafood world alone. And my statement and stance now is that we need fish. If you’ve ben around me for any time at all you’ve probably heard me talking about how many people get their protein from fish and about how desperate the situation is. Therefore, it makes total since to drastically cut our seafood consumption. But saying that, I have come to learn, will probably have no affect on you. I understand that you can go into a seafood market and there are fish everywhere. And for places like Joe Patti’s in Pensacola, they’re unloading boat after boat after boat all day long. For you to be affected, you have to affect you.
To illustrate this this let me tell you about a guy that I know. We’ll call him…..Scott Gann. Scott is an avid hunter of ducks, like many people nationwide. And this community is unlike any other in the wildlife resource consumption world. As Scott may tell you, they have to pay fees and taxes on every duck hunting supply they buy. Those taxes and fees then go directly into conservation of the species as well as the wetland ecosystem that supports them. You’ve all heard of Ducks Unlimited. And I’m sure Scott will say that this is a good thing. He would much rather pay for having ducks than to not hunt at all. It is this attitude that we need to take. Not necessarily a fish consumption tax (even though paying true market price for fish would be a start), but having knowledge that what we eat has consequences (If you want to know more about these consequences, you may Sign up for my class, South Florida Ecology Lab, Thursdays from 11-12:15 and 2-2:15). If we want to enjoy fish, shrimp, lobster, and various mollusks shouldn’t we do everything possible to protect them, to ensure their future and the future of their ecosystem? Shouldn’t the pleasure that e get from catching, eating, and marveling at their texture drive us to be smarter with our choices? We should stop being so myopic and actually act like we know what’s going on. Trust me, you will be shocked and should be concerned.
There are some places that are realizing the need for change. At a recent trip to South Beach I stopped in to get Sushi (I know you’re getting tired of Food Blogs but this was a fusion of Japanese, Peruvian, and Brazilian flavors….ah so good) and as I was flipping through the menu, there was a statement that read:
“Bluefin tuna is an endangered species and is not served in this establishment as long as it remains on the list.”
Note: DO NOT EAT BLUEFIN TUNA
I will not leave you without source to get the facts. Check these sites out. Eat fish! But do it responsibly! Stick to the rules and regulation put out by the FWC….don’t be that guy. Endorse marine protected areas. And you don’t have to take the biggest fish you catch!
Start Here>> http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx
Know what your choices are!
For more info on consequences of what happens when you take too many fish out of the sea, watch these>>>>>>>> http://www.shiftingbaselines.org/videos/index.html
then check out the rest of the site http://shiftingbaselines.org/index.php
Finally for today, catching tuna without by-catch>>>
I may or may not be the person who refuses to be seen with Brett when he has his "stop eating tuna" board out, however, I take all of his points to heart. I would also like to spend a few days on this tuna fishing vessel in the south pacific.
ReplyDeleteI noticed many homeless people on the street today. I also noticed some desperate fisherman off of the 331 causeway, trying to catch dinner.
ReplyDeleteMy dad used to go and fish for dinner for his family of 11. He taught me how to fish so I wouldn't go hungry. I had to catch the bait before anyone could fish in our family. My dad would tell us PB&J's or we'll eat the bait Philippe caught if no one gets a fish. PB&J's were preferred to bait...I remember getting on my bike with my cast net, a pole, and tackle box and fishing all day in the gulf when I was younger. I also remember seeing sail lines and 50 gallon trash cans full of Red Fish by big timers.
It is hard for me to understand over-fishing in areas like the gulf where it seems so abundant, but I can definitely see other areas picking the sea clean.
If Brett says to eat less fish- I will...we need to really get a hold of the other side of the globe too!