We all strive to live a healthy lifestyle, but our existence is so often dictated by extremely busy agendas. The American way of life frequently means skipping exercise, choosing the easier and often less healthy meal options and forgetting vitamins and supplements. The rising use of research and technology has given us a better insight…
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A Clash of Needs in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Stakeholders Compete Over California’s Most Important Water Resource
With California enduring the driest year on record, water is now more precious than ever before. There is an ongoing battle for control of one of California’s most vital water resources: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers converge in the Central Valley before heading out to sea, forming an intricate network…
Saying “Bye” to Bycatch: Ingenious Solution to Reducing Sea Turtle Deaths Promotes Conservation and Aids Fishermen
The term “bycatch” has become a popular one for people interested in sustainable fishing, and became so due to people searching for “dolphin-safe” tuna. Dolphins are known to swim with schools of tuna and have even been used by fishermen as a surface indicator of the presence of tuna, and, as such, have been scooped…
The Geoduck: A Thriving Wild Fishery Faces a Crushing Challenge from China’s Import Ban
The geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck) is a perfect example of the extremes that come with commercial fisheries. On one end of the spectrum, they are a thriving catch, providing an ecologically-friendly and sustainable way to create a booming fishing economy in areas that need it. At the other extreme, the industry is often subject to forces…
The Arctic Char: A Safe and Delicious Option for Farmed Fish
Found in clear and cold streams further north than any other fish in the world, the slender and beautiful arctic char is becoming a favorite alternative to farmed salmon and is providing a model for successful aquaculture. With brilliant scales that closely resemble those of its cousins, the salmon and trout, arctic char meat is…
Technology Meets Sustainability: The Seafood Watch Smartphone App Is Revolutionizing The Way Consumers Make Responsible Purchasing Decisions
“Ah, I left my pocket guide at home! I wonder if that fish is on the green list,” says a man to his wife as they walk through the frozen section at the grocery store. “I’ll be able to tell you in less than a minute,” says his wife, typing quickly into her phone. “I…
Shrimping Season Closed in Maine: Collapse of Stock Reveals Need for Better Regulations in Boom-and-Bust Industry
If you are a shrimp fanatic, you may find yourself deprived in 2014. Just a couple of weeks ago, regulators voted to close the Gulf of Maine shrimp fishing season for 2014 and possibly longer. This year yielded the smallest catch ever recorded, and regulators want to give the shrimp population a chance to recover….
Why MPAs Matter: Marine Protected Areas Ensure Healthy Fisheries and Tourism for Future Generations
Along any coastline in the world, you will find local economies that depend on a healthy ocean habitat. Many of these coastlines are suffering. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change threaten habitats in every country, every coastline, and every island. Coastal communities draw life from the sea, and when fisheries collapse, people are hurt from nutritional…
Mercury Falling: Young Women Are Making Smarter Seafood Choices
The small restaurant is quiet during the late afternoon lull. A young pregnant woman walks in and seats herself, promptly ordering a smoked salmon fillet when the waiter comes over. Two women at a nearby table suddenly halt their conversation and stare at the pregnant woman. “What is she thinking?” says one woman to the…
A School for Fish: What Abalone Aquaculture Can Teach Us About Sustainable Farming Practices
The abalone is a model citizen of the aquaculture world. Its wild success on commercial fish farms is a hopefully-repeatable example of sustainable fishing practices. The now-collapsed commercial fishery for abalone in California is the crowning example of terrible management and overfishing. A hundred and fifty years ago our local waters were teeming with seven…