Seafood the Story

The world of seafood is vast as the ocean itself. Today there are so many available options that is could be overwhelming for some.

Let’s take a look at some common terms and purchasing tips to help you select the right seafood for your recipe, table and the environment.

We will begin with the most common issue that faces most types of seafood today sustainability. Yes that is a major issue and one of the most important when select seafood. As you make your choices you have to really think about the impact that it will have not only on the environment but also on the Eco system that the seafood came from.

As over-fishing and the depletion of spawning grounds for seafood disappearing at a rapid rate has a major effect on not only what we will eat today but what we will be able to eat tomorrow. Be sure to select seafood that is not on the brink of being endangered or so over-fished that the Eco system that it supports is also on the verge of collapsing.  

For the really really technical stuff on sustainability read this: An Evaluation of Sustainable Seafood Guides: Implications for Environmental Groups and the Seafood Industry Marine Resource Economics, Volume 24, pp. 301-310 0738-1360/00 $3.00 + .00

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OK next thing we look at is farm raised vs. wild caught.

Having a clear understanding of where your food lives will help you understand why it tastes the way it does and why some things pair with it then others.

The picture above is of farm raised fish they are in large tanks and don’t really do much but swim in a circle all day. Their diet consists of man-made feed and items (in some cases corn) hmm feeding corn to fish.

Well some feel that the farm raised fish have to receive higher levels of antibiotics because of their living conditions. In addition they are said to be fed umm let’s say enhancements to improve their appearance.

All of these things are said to be the reason for the noticeably different flavor of farm raised fish.

Wild caught fish however are totally different they swim in the wild, they eat things found naturally smaller fish plant life etc. they spawn in the wild.

They provide balance to the Eco system and encourage the growth of other organisms.

The flavors they impart tell the story of how they lived and what they consumed on a daily basis.

The oils the subtle hints of the plant life they fed on are all right there for you to taste and play off of in your dish. For better or worse the choice is up to you and you will have to try both and see what flavor appeals to you.

Always keeping in mind how you choice will affect the planet, the environment and the generations of fish to come.