1. Essentially Mark Bittman makes the following points:
a. wild fisheries are at risk, with only a few species not yet depleted;
b. the NGO guidance on which species are "best" choices is essentially contradictory;
c. farmed fish, except for some mollusks, often have negative environmental impacts;
d. in the future, farmed fish will be a good option, but not quite yet; and
e. the strategy he adopts to address his concerns is to eat less fish; try to eat only some farmed species and the few wild species he deems abundant; and to constantly re-evaluate.
2. I think Mark's comments are fairy accurate and in line with my views. I deeply question a few of his assumptions, however, including:
a. Mark assumes you can have a sustainable wild capture commercial fishery. I am not sure this is the case on anything but an artisanal level. By encouraging the consumption of more abundant species like mackerel, anchovy and herring Mark is contributing to the exploitation of all species by supporting a failed wild fisheries management scheme. The correct position is to drastically reduce or eliminate wild seafood consumption of all species.
b. Mark seems to assume that somehow aquaculture will improve its practices despite his avoidance of farmed fish. The reality is that without consumer acceptance and pressure, aquaculture will never adopt best practices. The reason we have such wide acceptance of hybrid cars is because early adopters proved there was a market for these cars which encouraged the manufacturers to offer more hybrid options. We must all support aquaculture, however this support should be limited only to those producers that adopt and encourage those practices that respect the environment and the food we eat.
c. Mark suggests eating less fish is a good idea. Why? If he doesn't have fish on his plate, what will take its place? If its beef, pork or chicken, that decision will have a much greater negative impact on the environment than eating aquacultured/farmed seafood. Aquaculture generates less greenhouse gas emissions, uses less water resources and causes less environmental pollution than agriculture. If you care about fish and the environment the solution is to eat less red meat and wild fish and more aquacultured fish and seafood.
So I guess that sums up my initial thoughts. What do you think?
