77% of Americans claim that sustainability factors into their food purchases. Unfortunately, the fish counter can be a pretty confusing place. We all know that fish is healthy and delicious to eat, but inconsistent and vague labeling can make it challenging to make a sustainable purchase. What does wild-caught actually mean? Is it better for the environment, or are farmed fish more sustainable? This guide will unravel the terms, helping you to decide which fish meet your nutrition and sustainability goals.
What Does Sustainable Wild-Caught Fish Mean?
77% of Americans claim that sustainability factors into their food purchases. Unfortunately, the fish counter can be a pretty confusing place. We all know that fish is healthy and delicious to eat, but inconsistent and vague labeling can make it challenging to make a sustainable purchase. What does wild-caught actually mean? Is it better for the environment, or are farmed fish more sustainable? This guide will unravel the terms, helping you to decide which fish meet your nutrition and sustainability goals.
Wild-Caught Is Simple In Principle
On its face, "wild-caught" is a straightforward term. The implication (and the ideal) is that fishermen should travel to their target fish's natural habitat, whether in a river, lake, or ocean. In contrast, farmed fish live in a controlled environment. Examples of such facilities include large pens in natural bodies of water and land-based holding tanks.
The Pros And Cons Of Wild-Caught Fish
Wild-caught fish offer several advantages over farmed fish as a protein source. Most important for seafood lovers, the wild fish are more flavorful. However, they also tend to be leaner and contain higher proportions of omega-3 fats, making them a slightly healthier choice. And they are never given antibiotics. And although wild-caught status does not necessarily imply sustainability, traditional fishing methods do not impact the environment as much as setting up a fish farm.
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On the other hand, many popular fish do not have high enough wild replenishment rates to maintain their populations, making the current fishing rates unsustainable. As the supply dwindles, the costs will continue to rise. In addition, wild-caught fish may need to travel great distances to their destination, meaning they may not be as fresh when they arrive at a retailer.
Fishing Confronts The Same Issues As Other Food Industries
Regarding seafood, the term "sustainability" has the same problems as when it's applied to other food systems. Namely, there is no single, universally accepted standard. However, there are a few certification programs. These organizations can help consumers make informed decisions. They follow the same principles as the programs that assess operations in other industries. Sustainable seafood operations preserve a healthy environment, society, and economy.
Harvesting environmentally sustainable seafood does not harm the water or emit excessive CO2 or other GHGs into the atmosphere. Furthermore, it observes the natural replenishment rate of each species and avoids overfishing – population management is one of the most difficult challenges of wild-caught fishing. In addition, the apparatus used must limit "bycatch," catching only the target species - not turtles, dolphins, sharks, or others. Terms like "troll-caught," "pole-caught," and "FAD-free" are worth looking out for – but they are tough to verify.
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Socially and economically sustainable fishing must ensure equitable conditions for laborers throughout the supply chain, from fishermen to retail shops. Traditional labor abuses include dangerous child work environments, human trafficking, and forced labor.
Of course, sustainable initiatives tend to be more expensive than non-sustainable ones. This observation is true of seafood, and fishermen will only be willing to make a sustainable investment if the market supports their decision. Therefore, consumer choice is critical to the economic sustainability of the seafood industry.
"Wild-Caught" Claims Are Tough To Verify
Unfortunately, as with many terms that suggest sustainability in agriculture, "wild-caught" presents similar problems to "free-range"; that is, it may or may not be accurate on a seafood label. For example, 44% of such claims in Canada are not independently verified or held to a regulatory standard. Furthermore, 40% of the companies making unverified claims could provide no evidence to support them.
In the US, this problem is prevalent in salmon fishing. DNA tests have shown that up to 43% of salmon in grocery stores and restaurants are mislabeled when salmon are out of season. Of these incorrect labels, almost 70% were on farmed salmon labeled as wild-caught. The inaccuracy of labeling presents one of the biggest challenges to buying sustainable wild-caught fish.
The Best Options For Sustainable Wild-Caught Fish
Since the terms sustainable and wild-caught each present difficulties, finding seafood that fits into both categories can be challenging. Fortunately, US-based consumers can benefit from the fact that the NOAA manages all fisheries in US waters. Also, Alaska has written sustainable fishing into its state constitution. However, those who live outside the US or do not wish to rely on government agencies can look for a blue Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label on their seafood.
Careful Shopping Can Help Make Seafood More Sustainable
Sustainable wild-caught fish are healthy for you and the planet. Unfortunately, wild-caught claims may not even be valid. Even if they are, "wild-caught" does not equate to "sustainable." Wild-caught fishing operations need to observe the needs of the environment and society by managing fish populations, pollution, and fair labor practices. Luckily, a few labels can help consumers find fish that has been sustainably harvested from their natural habitats, making it easier to incentivize sustainable fishing.
Key Takeaways
- Check the Label – MSC and Alaska Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) are the best certifications for wild-caught fish sustainability. Some seafood may also come with a Fair Trade USA certification.
- Ask the Retailer – Most grocers should be able to tell you where their seafood is from, whether there is a certification, and how long they have had it on display. If you are in the US, you can check the species against the NOAA FishWatch stats to see if it is an overfished species.
- Think Big Picture – If you live far from the source, wild-caught may not be the best option if you consider transportation. While wild fish have some health benefits, US fish farms generally offer high-quality feed to their stock, making them a viable alternative to a healthy diet. Sourcing closer to home may help the environment and the local economy.
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77% of Americans claim that sustainability factors into their food purchases. Unfortunately, the fish counter can be a pretty confusing place. We all know that fish is healthy and delicious to eat, but inconsistent and vague labeling can make it challenging to make a sustainable purchase. What does wild-caught actually mean? Is it better for the environment, or are farmed fish more sustainable? This guide will unravel the terms, helping you to decide which fish meet your nutrition and sustainability goals.
Wild-Caught Is Simple in Principle
On its face, "wild-caught" is a straightforward term. The implication (and the ideal) is that fishermen should travel to their target fish's natural habitat, whether in a river, lake, or ocean. In contrast, farmed fish live in a controlled environment. Examples of such facilities include large pens in natural bodies of water and land-based holding tanks.
The Pros and Cons of Wild-Caught Fish
Wild-caught fish offer several advantages over farmed fish as a protein source. Most important for seafood lovers, the wild fish are more flavorful. However, they also tend to be leaner and contain higher proportions of omega-3 fats, making them a slightly healthier choice. And they are never given antibiotics. And although wild-caught status does not necessarily imply sustainability, traditional fishing methods do not impact the environment as much as setting up a fish farm.
On the other hand, many popular fish do not have high enough wild replenishment rates to maintain their populations, making the current fishing rates unsustainable. As the supply dwindles, the costs will continue to rise. In addition, wild-caught fish may need to travel great distances to their destination, meaning they may not be as fresh when they arrive at a retailer.
Fishing Confronts the Same Issues as Other Food Industries
Regarding seafood, the term "sustainability" has the same problems as when it's applied to other food systems. Namely, there is no single, universally accepted standard. However, there are a few certification programs. These organizations can help consumers make informed decisions. They follow the same principles as the programs that assess operations in other industries. Sustainable seafood operations preserve a healthy environment, society, and economy.
Harvesting environmentally sustainable seafood does not harm the water or emit excessive CO2 or other GHGs into the atmosphere. Furthermore, it observes the natural replenishment rate of each species and avoids overfishing – population management is one of the most difficult challenges of wild-caught fishing. In addition, the apparatus used must limit "bycatch," catching only the target species - not turtles, dolphins, sharks, or others. Terms like "troll-caught," "pole-caught," and "FAD-free" are worth looking out for – but they are tough to verify.
Socially and economically sustainable fishing must ensure equitable conditions for laborers throughout the supply chain, from fishermen to retail shops. Traditional labor abuses include dangerous child work environments, human trafficking, and forced labor.
Of course, sustainable initiatives tend to be more expensive than non-sustainable ones. This observation is true of seafood, and fishermen will only be willing to make a sustainable investment if the market supports their decision. Therefore, consumer choice is critical to the economic sustainability of the seafood industry.
"Wild-Caught" Claims Are Tough to Verify
Unfortunately, as with many terms that suggest sustainability in agriculture, "wild-caught" presents similar problems to "free-range"; that is, it may or may not be accurate on a seafood label. For example, 44% of such claims in Canada are not independently verified or held to a regulatory standard. Furthermore, 40% of the companies making unverified claims could provide no evidence to support them.
In the US, this problem is prevalent in salmon fishing. DNA tests have shown that up to 43% of salmon in grocery stores and restaurants are mislabeled when salmon are out of season. Of these incorrect labels, almost 70% were on farmed salmon labeled as wild-caught. The inaccuracy of labeling presents one of the biggest challenges to buying sustainable wild-caught fish.
The Best Options for Sustainable Wild-Caught Fish
Since the terms sustainable and wild-caught each present difficulties, finding seafood that fits into both categories can be challenging. Fortunately, US-based consumers can benefit from the fact that the NOAA manages all fisheries in US waters. Also, Alaska has written sustainable fishing into its state constitution. However, those who live outside the US or do not wish to rely on government agencies can look for a blue Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label on their seafood.
Careful Shopping Can Help Make Seafood More Sustainable
Sustainable wild-caught fish are healthy for you and the planet. Unfortunately, wild-caught claims may not even be valid. Even if they are, "wild-caught" does not equate to "sustainable." Wild-caught fishing operations need to observe the needs of the environment and society by managing fish populations, pollution, and fair labor practices. Luckily, a few labels can help consumers find fish that has been sustainably harvested from their natural habitats, making it easier to incentivize sustainable fishing.
Key Takeaways
- Check the Label – MSC and Alaska Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) are the best certifications for wild-caught fish sustainability. Some seafood may also come with a Fair Trade USA certification.
- Ask the Retailer – Most grocers should be able to tell you where their seafood is from, whether there is a certification, and how long they have had it on display. If you are in the US, you can check the species against the NOAA FishWatch stats to see if it is an overfished species.
- Think Big Picture – If you live far from the source, wild-caught may not be the best option if you consider transportation. While wild fish have some health benefits, US fish farms generally offer high-quality feed to their stock, making them a viable alternative to a healthy diet. Sourcing closer to home may help the environment and the local economy.
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