| The sustainable seafood movement is about finding | | | | seabed and it takes literally centuries to grow back. |
| solutions for our oceans; it's about taking responsibility | | | | Off the coast of Australia, these bottom trawlers have |
| for our actions, and actively participating in the future | | | | destroyed six foot tall coral gorgonians which were at |
| of marine habitats. The problems that plague our | | | | the least 700 years old. The seafloor doesn't seem to |
| oceans today are numerous. These include but are not | | | | get a break. |
| limited to overfishing, habitat damage and by catch. | | | | By catch occurs when animals such as turtles, dolphins, |
| Overfishing occurs because we fish on a large scale. | | | | seals and whales get caught, unintentionally in fishing |
| Fisheries don't just catch a couple fish, they fish | | | | nets. According to studies, one in four of these animals |
| thousands at a time. Not long ago, it seemed like the | | | | die. Moreover, thousands of fish are simply discarded |
| ocean's supply of fish was endless; but today we are | | | | because they have no value or the boat doesn't have |
| discovering that it's not. There's simply not enough fish | | | | room on board. Often by catch takes young fish that |
| in the ocean to make up for what the fisheries take | | | | could help rebuild depleted populations. Once these fish |
| out. Overfishing means catching fish faster than they | | | | are caught by accident, however, there's little hope left. |
| can reproduce and repopulate the seas. Putting more | | | | Consumers can make a difference. Campaigns |
| boats out there, with better gear is not going help us | | | | against tuna companies which trapped dolphins have |
| catch more fish, because there simply aren't enough | | | | made the cause very present. |
| out there for us to catch. | | | | As a consumer you have power; by making smarter |
| Habitat damage is due to encroachment. As the | | | | choices you can help save the ocean and contribute |
| human population grow exponentially, we take more | | | | to sustainable seafood. Whenever you buy fish or go |
| from the environment. More people mean more space | | | | to a restaurant, always ask for sustainable seafood. |
| is needed, more pollution is created, and more harm to | | | | Encourage local restaurants to serve ocean-friendly |
| the environment is inflicted. Some fishing boats catch | | | | seafood. Voting with your wallet works. Spread the |
| fish using bottom trawlers, dragging their nets across | | | | word. Write to your congressman. These actions |
| the seafloor to try to catch more fish to feed the ever | | | | signal that you want industry leaders and governments |
| growing human population. These nets damage the | | | | to take care of our natural resources. |