Is any seafood sustainable?
ENVIRONMENT
Short answer
Not really. 34% of global fish stocks are overfished, 60% fished to their limit. Even 'best-choice' labels have major welfare and bycatch problems.
ENVIRONMENT
The detail
FAO 2022: only 6% of assessed stocks are 'underfished'. MSC certifications have been criticised for weak enforcement (Sea Around Us project).
Farmed fish (~50% of global supply) uses wild-caught feed fish, spreads disease, and pollutes coastlines.
Look for plant-based seafood alternatives like 'Zalmon' or 'Tuna-free' to enjoy traditional flavors while protecting ocean health. A 2021 documentary, 'Seaspiracy,' highlighted that many 'sustainable' labels are self-regulated and fail to account for the massive amount of plastic waste left behind by commercial fishing nets. By choosing plants, you take a stand against the industrial depletion of our oceans, which are vital for global oxygen production.
Source: FAO SOFIA 2022.
RELATED
More questions like this
- Do vegans eat fish?
No. Fish are sentient animals capable of pain and fear, and industrial fishing devastates marine ecosystems.
- How much does going vegan help the climate?
A vegan diet cuts food-related emissions by ~50-75%, land use by ~75%, and freshwater use by ~50% compared to an average omnivore diet.
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