Fish are excellent sources of protein, vitamin B, vitamin D, many trace minerals and essential omega 3 fatty acids, which are seriously lacking in most individuals diets. Like fish and also included in the pescatarian diet are shrimp. Shrimp also contain much of the same nutritional value that fish do. Shrimp are also low in calories compared to the amount of protein you get from them. Some people are afraid to eat too much shrimp because of it's high cholesterol levels. If you are eating shrimp every day of the week then this is something to look in to, but if you eat one or two times a week it is nothing to be overly concerned with. It is extremely low in fat which is another reason to indulge every once and a while. It can be argued that some fish, certain species of salmon in particular contain mercury that can eventually lead to poisoning in the body. As long as you are smart about your fish choices this problem can be avoided.
There is a growing problem with purchasing and consuming large amounts of fish. This has nothing to do with the nutritional value of the fish and more to do with how we are fishing and the consequences it can cause. Many of the fish we eat we are over-fishing. This means that we are catching too many fish; we are fishing so much that the fish cannot sustain their population. That particular fish will eventually get fewer and fewer until finally there are no more to catch. You are probably thinking "why is this a problem?" Many times, fishermen that are fishing for a specific species of fish will catch a large number of by catch--other types of fish, shrimp and sea creatures--that they have no use for. These fish end up dying and are unused. It has been calculated that the overfishing of the blue fin tuna has the potential to wipe out the fish forever in the next three years. The blue fin tuna is not the only fish looking to suffer this fate.
If we try to fish and consume fish at a sustainable level (taking out only the amount that still allows the fish to survive and flourish) we can help to reverse the trend of killing out certain fish. Over the past two weeks this has made me really think about what type of fish I am eating, where it was caught and if it is acceptable to be eating them. There are a number of excellent websites that can help explain where your fish comes from. These guides let you know which fish are struggling to stay in existence and which fish are acceptable to eat (even in large amounts). The two links that I have provided at the end of this post I have been using when I go to the supermarket. I have been getting my fish mainly from Wards and Publix but there is a fish market out by my parents house that is wonderful! I spoke with one of the employees at the fish market and really gained a better understanding of eating sustainable fish (I also got a few great recipes too that I will try to post)! This employee was the individual that first brought to my attention the problem with our fishing industry.
Bottom line: Be picky in the fish you eat. If you have read this, you now know the growing problem of overfishing and are no longer oblivious to its consequences (it's okay, I was oblivious to this just a short time ago). Please take the time to look at the links posted; they will lead you to make better fish choices and help save our ocean!
This last link is an article about the blue fin tuna
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