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The problems with commercial fish farming
  • Health

The Problems with Fish Farming

Katie WellsMar 29, 2016Updated: Jul 30, 2019
Reading Time: 11 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » The Problems with Fish Farming
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Is Farmed Fish a Healthy Choice?
  • Environmental Problems with Fish Farming+−
    • Pollution
    • Impact of Biodiversity
    • Tilapia Takeover
    • Spread of Disease & Antibiotic Use
    • Sea Lice
    • Pesticide Use
  • Fish Farming: Effects on Fish+−
    • Higher Levels of Omega-6
    • PCBs and POPs
  • Things to Consider When Selecting Seafood+−
    • Mercury
    • The Selenium Myth
    • Omega-3 Levels
    • Sustainability
    • Canned Seafood Considerations
  • Resources for Finding Quality Seafood
  • Mercury Levels of Commonly Consumed Fish+−
    • Least Mercury: Consume Freely
    • Moderate Mercury: Eat Six Servings or Less per Month
    • High Mercury: Avoid When Possible
    • Highest Mercury: Avoid Whenever Possible
  • Omega-3 Levels (EPA + DHA) per 3 oz Portion
  • Any Good Options?
  • The Bottom Line on Fish Farming

We have all heard the recommendation to eat more fish and seafood. Why? Because fish, especially oily fish like salmon, are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which may help protect the body against heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, brain health, diabetes, digestive disorders and even autoimmune disease.

My family loves seafood, but there are some considerations regarding fish farming I try and take into account before purchasing and preparing it.

In 2009 Americans consumed 15.8 pounds of fish and shellfish per person, 4.833 billion pounds of seafood in total. Per week, Americans eat about 3.5 ounces of seafood, which is still only half of what the USDA recommends. (17)

Unfortunately, not all fish are created equal as commercial fish farming practices have affected many fish populations and changed the fish supply substantially. It can also be difficult to find quality seafood and decipher labels to know where they were sourced. Among the many labels are wild-caught and farm-raised. It’s tempting to opt for farmed-raised, as often the wild-caught fish cost twice as much!

Is Farmed Fish a Healthy Choice?

Aquaculture is the practice of raising fish or ocean plants for food or resources. Today, many species of fish are raised in contained fresh water or ocean water environments, including salmon, catfish, tilapia, cod and others.

In fact, around 50% of the seafood we consume comes from aquaculture. It is a $78 billion industry which has grown 9% a year since 1975. (6)

While aquaculture is nothing new as humans have been farming fish for millennia, there have been some substantial changes in recent decades. There is evidence of fish farming dating back to 2000 BCE in China and depictions of ornamental fish ponds in ancient Egyptian paintings. (12, 13)

Modern fish farming practices often raise fish near the top of the food chain (affecting populations of fish that eat or are eaten by these species) and contain thousands of fish in tiny pens (similar to commercial chicken or cow operations). As you may imagine, these conditions leave something to be desired and affect both the quality of the fish and the health of the ocean.

Environmental Problems with Fish Farming

Fish farming is a way to create a much larger amount of fish much more quickly, cheaply and efficiently than with wild caught fish. Unfortunately, when something seems to good to be true, it very often is!

Pollution

This density of fish creates problems like disease and pollution. The biggest source of pollution is the accumulation of fish waste and uneaten food beneath the sea pens which can degrade the quality of the surrounding water.

Like commercial farming operations on land, the density of  fish in these pens necessitates certain chemicals to keep animals from getting sick and to keep things clean. The chemicals used in marine aquaculture operations such as medicines like antibiotics and vaccines, disinfectants, and substances used to prevent corrosion of equipment (cages, etc.) can also change the composition of the surrounding aquatic ecosystem.

The amount of pollution from fish farms also depends on how the fish are contained. Open-net, or pen systems, allow for a direct exchange of water, where as “closed contentment” methods have a barrier which filters the water.

Impact of Biodiversity

Another way aquaculture can have a negative impact is by introducing farmed species into the wild and therefore changing the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. Even when measures are taken to prevent escapes, predators like birds and sharks, equipment failure, human error, severe weather and other complications mean that escapes of farmed fish are inevitable.

Since farmed fish often have been bred via selective breeding they have a lower genetic variation than wild fish. If they interbreed with the wild fish it can result in a less genetically diverse, and therefore less robust, population.

Another concern is infertile offspring. For example, Atlantic and Pacific salmon belong to different genera and while they can produce offspring, those offspring will be unable to reproduce (like mules). If populations of non-native species become established they compete with native populations for resources such as food and breeding sites. (8)

Since farmed fish are selected and bred for certain genetic criteria like size, quick growth and hardiness, escaped species can become invasive, which has been recognized as one of the main causes of global biodiversity loss. One example of this was the Pacific oyster in the UK, which was introduced into its waters in the 1960s via aquaculture with the idea that it would be a more commercially viable species than the native oyster. Unfortunately, these pacific oysters have spread and created reef formations, forcing out the native oysters and altering the marine environment.

Tilapia Takeover

Another example of the negative effect of fish farming on native fish population and environment is with Tilapia. Tilapia is one of the most common types of farmed fish. Most of our tilapia supply is imported from Latin American and Asia, and in 2015, Americans ate 475 million pounds of tilapia.

Tilapia is a warm-water fish native to Africa, but in the last 60 years the governments of poor tropical countries saw the fish as a solution to control weeds and mosquitoes in lakes and rivers, breeding and releasing tilapia into these areas. They are now seen as a nuisance, as they are one of the “most invasive species known and difficult to get rid of once established,” says Aaron McNevin, a WWF biologist.

In Lake Apoyo in Nicaragua, tilapia escaped from a fish farm and their pollution and feeding reduced the lake’s quantity of an aquatic plant called charra, which was an important source of food for the lake’s native fish populations. Sixteen years later, the lake’s biota are still recovering. (3)

Read more about the pros and cons of tilapia here.

Spread of Disease & Antibiotic Use

Because farmed fish are raised on unnatural diets and in small enclosures they often breed disease, which can pass to wild populations. This is becoming an increasingly big problem, as are the solutions often used for these diseases.

Some aquaculture productions rely on prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infections. The use of antibiotics can cause drug resistant bacteria to develop which can spread to wild populations. (1, 2)

Sea Lice

Another common disease is sea lice. Not to be confused with an itchy, stinging rash caused by jellyfish larvae, these sea lice are planktonic marine parasites which feed on many types of fish. There are many species but the common “salmon louse” or lepeophtheirus salmonis, has become a big problem for both wild and farmed salmon populations. About a centimeter in size, the sea lice attach themselves to the outside of a fish and feed on its mucous, blood, and skin. (16)

This can cause serious damage to fins, erosion of skin, constant bleeding, and open wounds at risk of infection. On an adult fish this may be only a nuisance, but for small juvenile salmon (around the size of a finger), sea lice can be fatal. (15)

Before offshore industrial scale fisheries became big business in the 1970s, sea lice were rarely epidemic to fish populations. Of course, when hundreds, or even thousands of fish are crowded together in a small area, sea lice, and other diseases can easily spread from fish to fish. (14)

This problem not only impacts food supply and fish industry profits, it is spreading to wild fish populations. One example is the salmon in the Broughton Archipelago, a group of islands 260 miles northwest of Vancouver, British Columbia.

In 2007 the area had 20 active fish farms, which raised between 500,000 and 1.5 million fish each. As juvenile wild salmon swam past these open-net farms on their way down river towards the sea, the sea lice infecting the farmed salmon attached to them. A study done that year found that the number of wild pink salmon were down 80% since 1970 because of sea lice infestations. The study concluded that at this rate the wild salmon in the area would die off in four generations or by 2015. While the conclusions of this study were not without controversy, it did seem that the salmon populations recovered when the farms idled. (15)

Pesticide Use

As sea lice became a problem in fisheries around the world, an unfortunately common solution was employed: pesticides. One chemical commonly used was emamectin benzoate, or Slice, which when administered to rats and dogs causes tremors, spinal deterioration and muscle atrophy.

Of course soon the lice became resistant, and Slice only worked in triple doses. Other chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, Salmosan, AlphaMax and Calicide chemicals have been employed instead.

While we know that these chemicals can negatively affect ocean water and plant species, we don’t have enough research to know how much of these chemicals are absorbed and retained by the fish and if any of this passes to those who eat the fish. (14)

Fish Farming: Effects on Fish

As you might imagine, most species of fish don’t thrive when being raised in extremely cramped pens, fed commercial feed, and treated with pesticides, antibiotics and other chemicals. We now know that thees modern practices negatively affect the fish as well as their environment.

Higher Levels of Omega-6

Like all animals, fish are what they eat. The nutrition of our food depends on the nutrition of our food’s food. For example, salmon in the wild eat smaller fish, which eat aquatic plants rich in beneficial long chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Farm-raised salmon eat pellets, and as the nutritional quality of pellets varies, so does the nutritional quality of the fish. Often young salmon are fed pellets made from plant and animal sources, and they receive more expensive fish/fish oil enriched pellets later in their lifespan just before harvest. (7)

New commercial fish feeds are more likely to have protein and oils derived from grains and oilseeds (like soybeans and canola) and with less fishmeal and fish oil. The difference in feeds accounts for why one study that measured the omega-3 contentment of fish species from six regions of the US found large variations in the omega-3 content in the five salmon species tested. (7, 8)

In the two farm raised varieties tested the omega-3 ranged from 717 mg to 1,533 mg per 100 grams of fish (which is equal to a 3.5 oz serving). Compared to the wild-caught varieties, these farmed fish tended to have higher levels of omega-3s but only because the farmed salmon have more fat overall, including higher levels of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats. (7)

Feeds from vegetable sources can be more sustainable than fishmeal and fish oil. These are often made from smaller fish, lower on the food chain which are sometimes called reduction, pelagic, or trash fish. To create 1kg (2.2 lbs) of fishmeal it takes 4.5 kg (10 lbs) of smaller fish. In fact, today at least 37% of global seafood is ground up to make feed. In 1948 that number was only 7.7%. (4)

These lower food chain fish are the food for many species of aquatic life, and depleting them may cause serious implications for aquatic ecosystems and other sea animals including birds and mammals. (6)

PCBs and POPs

PCBs (polychlorinated biphenys) are industrial pollutants that find their way into fresh waters and oceans and then are absorbed by aquatic wildlife. PCBs are a type of POP (persistent organic pollutant). (10)

Type 2 diabetes and obesity have been linked to POPs, and certain types increase the risk of stroke in women. PCBs are potential human carcinogens, and known to promote cancer in animals. Other potential health effects include negative effects on the reproductive, nervous, and immune systems plus impaired memory and learning. (9, 10)

One study found that PCB levels in farmed salmon, especially those in Europe were five to ten times higher than PCBs in wild salmon. Follow-up studies haven’t confirmed this, and there are now strict rules on contaminant levels in feed ingredients which have lowered PCBs in these fish. (8, 9, 10)

It is best to avoid these chemicals completely, but most PCBs are found in the skin, so if farmed raised fish is the only option available, it is possible to reduce exposure by removing the skin and by avoiding fried fish. (10)

Things to Consider When Selecting Seafood

As if the various concerns associated with fish farming weren’t enough, there are other important factors to consider when sourcing any kind of seafood.

Mercury

Mercury toxicity can impact brain development in children and negatively affect cognitive function in adults. Mercury is found in the muscle of the fish. The biomagnification of mercury means that organisms higher on the food chain contain higher levels of the metal. (5, 10)

One way to consume seafood yet reduce mercury exposure is by eating smaller fish lower on the food chain, such as sardines. See the resources section at the bottom of this post for a list of fish ranked by their mercury levels.

The Selenium Myth

Many of us in the real-food community have heard that mercury is only a concern if there is not selenium present in the fish, and since most seafood also has high levels of selenium we shouldn’t be concerned about mercury.

Dr. Christopher Shade, recently confirmed in an interview with Chris Kresser that this is not the case. He verified that those who are deficient in selenium will be more susceptible to mercury toxicity; however, having good selenium levels doesn’t prevent someone from getting mercury toxicity from seafood. Nor does the selenium in seafood bind the mercury and therefore prevent us from absorbing the toxic metal. (5)

One important way the body rids itself of mercury is via glutathione, the body’s self produced master-antioxidant. It is therefore important to support this pathway by consuming sulfur containing vegetables like onions and brassicas, and good amounts of vitamin C.

Omega-3 Levels

Omega-3s are very important for health, and should be consumed in proper ratio with Omega-6 fatty acids. Statistically, most of us consume too much Omega-6 and not enough Omega-3, which some experts blame as one of the root causes of many modern diseases. Fish are an excellent natural source of Omega-3s, but there is a wide range of levels depending on the fish. When choosing seafood, it helps to know which fish have the highest levels of these beneficial fats. (For a list of fish ranked by levels of Omega-3s see the resources section at the end of this post.)

Sustainability

While farmed fish have obvious drawbacks there are also sustainability concerns about wild caught fish.

One of the major concerns is overfishing which has become a global problem. Obviously it becomes difficult to eat the fish if they don’t exist, but fewer populations of certain species can have repercussions for an entire ecosystem. (19)

Another issue is bycatch, which is when non-target animals are caught during fishing. This can include dolphins, sea turtles, birds, sharks, stingrays, and other fish like juvenile fish.The incidence of bycatch can be reduced by the use of selective fishing gear designed to catch only the species selected and implementing measures to return the native species.

Habitat destruction can degrade aquatic ecosystems, as seabed habitats provide shelter and food for a variety of species. One fishing method that is a common culprit is bottom trawling near vulnerable areas like coral reefs or breeding and nursing grounds. (19)

By now your head is probably spinning and you are asking yourself: So how do I know if the seafood I’m buying is both responsible and healthy? Do these even exist?

As you can see, it is a complex issue. It goes beyond farmed or wild-caught and can change depending on the region where the fish is caught, the variety, the producer, and so on.

Canned Seafood Considerations

Buying canned fish is a good way to eat high quality fish on a budget. However, sure to select cans that are BPA free. Another thing to look for is if they are canned in oil, as to preserve omega-3s it is typically preferable to purchase fish that is canned in water.

Resources for Finding Quality Seafood

Seafood Watch makes choosing seafood a lot easier. Seafood is labeled as either green (best choice), yellow (good alternative) and red (avoid) depending on the variety’s sustainability. They then list the fishing method, and the location. They also have an app for your smartphone (search your app store).

Natural Resources Defense Council has several guides to avoid mercury consumption in fish including a detailed guide for pregnant women and this PDF is a good quick reference guide.

Mercury Levels of Commonly Consumed Fish

Mercury levels can vary greatly among different types of fish. The following list groups seafood by mercury content, and please note these other criteria:

*Caught using unsustainable or environmentally damaging methods.
**Farmed Salmon

Least Mercury: Consume Freely

Anchovies
Butterfish
Catfish
Clam
Crab (Domestic)
Crawfish/Crayfish
Croaker (Atlantic)
Flounder*
Haddock (Atlantic)*
Hake
Herring
Mackerel (N. Atlantic, Chub)
Mullet
Oyster
Perch (Ocean)
Plaice
Pollock
Salmon (Canned)**
Salmon (Fresh)**
Sardine
Scallop*
Shad (American)
Shrimp*
Sole (Pacific)
Squid (Calamari)
Trout (Freshwater)
Whitefish
Whiting
 

Moderate Mercury: Eat Six Servings or Less per Month

Bass (Striped, Black)
Carp
Cod (Alaskan)*
Croaker (White Pacific)
Halibut (Atlantic)*
Halibut (Pacific)
Jacksmelt
Lobster
Mahi Mahi
Monkfish*
Perch (Freshwater)
Sablefish
Skate*
Snapper*
Tuna (Canned chunk light)
Tuna (Skipjack)*
Weakfish (Sea Trout)
 

High Mercury: Avoid When Possible

Bluefish
Grouper*
Mackerel (Spanish, Gulf)
Sea Bass (Chilean)*
Tuna (Canned Albacore)
Tuna (Yellowfin)*
 

Highest Mercury: Avoid Whenever Possible

Mackerel (King)
Marlin*
Orange Roughy*
Shark*
Swordfish*
Tilefish*
Tuna (Bigeye, Ahi)*
 

Omega-3 Levels (EPA + DHA) per 3 oz Portion

When choosing seafood, it is also beneficial to choose sources that are the highest in natural Omega-3s. (18)

1,500 mg:

Herring, Wild (Atlantic, Pacific)
Salmon, Wild (King)
Mackerel, Wild (Pacific, Jack)
Salmon, Farmed (Atlantic)

1,500 – 1,000 mg:

Salmon, Canned(Pink, Sockeye, & Chum)
Mackerel, Canned (Jack)
Mackerel, Wild (Atlantic & Spanish)
Tuna, Wild (Bluefin)

500 – 1,000 mg:

Salmon, Wild (Sockeye, Coho, Pink)
Sardines, Canned
Tuna, Canned (White Albacore)
Swordfish, Wild
Trout, Farmed (Rainbow)
Oysters, Wild and Farmed
Mussels, Wild and Farmed
 

200 – 500 mg:

Tuna, Wild (Skipjack)
Pollock, Wild (Alaskan)
Rockfish, Wild (Pacific)
Clams, Wild and Farmed
Crab, Wild (King, Dungeness, Snow)
Lobster, Wild (Spiny)
Snapper, Wild
Grouper, Wild
Flounder/Sole, Wild
Halibut, Wild (Pacific, Atlantic)
Ocean Perch, Wild
Squid, Wild (fried)
Scallops, Wild
Shrimp, Wild and Farmed
Lobster, Wild (Northern)
Crab, Wild (Blue)
Cod, Wild
Haddock, Wild
Tilapia, Farmed
Catfish, Farmed
Mahi Mahi, Wild
Tuna, Wild (Yellowfin)
Orange Roughy, Wild
Surimi (Imitation Crab)
 

(Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference)

Any Good Options?

There may be some responsible and healthy options for farmed seafood, especially with Shrimp. A reader Linda researched one brand, Henry and Lisa’s and found this out:

“I called Henry and Lisa’s at EcoFish.com and had a long talk with them about their shrimp farm and their practices. I was very impressed with them, although it is hard to verify information from a company that is so little known. However I did find this article by the National Resources Defense Council and they have some hopeful things to say about this matter.

The article is entitled, “MEALS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: SHRIMP”. Henry Lovejoy, (founder of EcoFish and Henry & Lisa’s) is singled out in paragraphs 10 and 14 as an example of responsible shrimp farming and this company is recommended over wild caught shrimp.”

The Bottom Line on Fish Farming

So what’s the verdict?

Wild caught seafood is preferable, both for the environment and for health, as we still don’t know the full impact of large scale commercial fish farming. There are some farming techniques that may make be viable options in the future, especially for those on a budget, but current methods have a drastic impact on native seafood species and on the ocean ecosystem.

Seafood can also be a more expensive protein source, especially when choosing wild-caught options, but inexpensive, low-mercury and non-farmed canned sardines can fit into almost any budget.

When choosing wild-caught seafood, consult the above resources and decide on the varieties that work for your wallet and your taste-buds, and then go enjoy those brain-boosting Omega-3s!

Are you a seafood eater? What’s your favorite type and how do you make sure it’s healthy?

Sources
  • O’Conner, Anahad. “Ask Well: Wild Fish vs. Farmed Fish.” The New York Times. 18 December 2014.
  • Food and Water Watch. “What’s Wrong with Factory Fish Farming?” 1 February 2013.
  • Rosenthal, Elizabeth. “Another Side of Tilapia, the Perfect Factory Fish.” The New York Times. 2 May 2011.
  • Stier, Ken. “Fish Farming’s Growing Dangers.” Time. 19 September 2007.
  • Kresser, Chris. Revolution Health Radio: Dr. Chris Shade on Mercury Toxicity. 12 November 2015.
  • Sustainable Seafood Coalition. “Commercial Aquaculture: Potential Environmental Issues.”
  • Corliss, Julie. “Finding Omega-3 Fats in Fish: Farmed vs. Wild.” 23 December 2015. Harvard Health Blog.
  • Washington State Department of Health. “Farmed Salmon vs. Wild Salmon.”
  • Kirpatrick, Kristin. “Fish Face-off: Wild Salmon vs Farmed Salmon.” Cleveland Clinic. 3 March 2014.
  • University of Michigan, Department of Integrative Medicine. “Healing Foods Pyramid: Fish and Seafood.”
  • SeaChoice.org. “Aquaculture Methods.”
  • Sission, Mark. “The Many Faces of Aquaculture: An Introduction to Fish Farming.” Mark’s Daily Apple.
  • Philpott, Tom. “Some Sea Lice with the Farmed Salmon?” Mother Jones Magazine. 27 September 2011.
  • Roach, John. “Sea Lice from Fish Farms May Wipe Out Wild Salmon.” National Geographic Magazine. 13 December 2007.
  • Farmed and Dangerous. “Sea Lice.”
  • NOAA Fisheries. “Seafood & Human Health”
  • Seafood Health Facts. “Omega-3 Content of Frequently Consumed Seafood Products.”
  • Sustainable Sea Food Coalition. “Commercial Fishing: Potential Environmental Issues.”
  • Natural Resources Defense Council. “Mercury Contamination in Fish.”
Category: Health

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (29 Comments)

  1. Melissa

    April 4, 2016 at 10:13 AM

    An important thing to note about aquaculture, fish that are farmed in the U.S.A are subject to the regulations of the USDA. This means food fish( the rules are different for aquarium species) farmed in the US cannot be treated with certain drugs without rigorous permitting and a withdrawl time before harvest. Many chemicals used to treat parasites, such as sea lice, are not available to US fish farmers. Its also important to remember, that many countries do not have the luxury of multiple protein options as we do in the US, those countries rely on tilapia culture to feed their people. Fish are the last wild caught food! Everything else you eat in a day is farmed. There are certainly sustainable ways to accomplish the goal of providing fish without overfishing the ocean. The US has an outstanding deficit each year from the fish that we import. If we would support fish farmers in the US, who farm sustainably and under close regulation, we would create jobs, provide sustainable sea food and reduce the pressure on our wild fisheries.

    Reply
  2. Daniela

    April 3, 2016 at 10:25 PM

    Thank you so very much about all of your information. I enjoy all of your email and share it with my friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Reply
  3. Jan

    April 3, 2016 at 12:31 PM

    Can you add any comments about fish in the Pacific that may be affected by the Fukushima disaster? I understand that the radiation has already spread to the Western coast of the US.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 10, 2016 at 11:12 PM

      Another topic I’m researching and one for another post soon 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 8, 2017 at 10:00 PM

        Katie I’m been waiting on you to write about this! I’ve done a lot of research but really want to know that you think! Love your articles.

        Reply
      • rachel

        June 17, 2017 at 8:50 AM

        That was my question. Looking forward to your input

        Reply
        • Katie - Wellness Mama

          June 17, 2017 at 12:11 PM

          I just interviewed someone about this for the podcast and the episode should air soon. Basically, the sourcing matters, but there are companies that test their fish to make sure it is radiation free. I order from here personally because they test.

          Reply
  4. David Auner

    April 3, 2016 at 11:10 AM

    Like all farming – there are safe ways and then there are unsafe shortcuts. Most fish farms feed the fryer vat oil in the food industry to their fish including shrimp. You might as well eat the last order of fries at Burger King before they throw out the oil – after burning the oil for up to several weeks. The meat/eggs will be too white, the oil will be more solid at room temperature and the ants won’t eat it. Where is the government to protect people from this permanent poisoning? – well the USDA, CDC and FDA seem to be on the side of the polluters and you can see the results walking down the aisles of WalMart. Fish and other critters which can be fed these frankenfats are a good part of the store to avoid since 1985 and at present.

    Reply
  5. Jenny

    March 31, 2016 at 8:47 AM

    Thanks so much for this detailed review. It’s certainly a controversial issue and will only become a larger and more important topic as the years go by. My boyfriend and I are on a tight budget and we try not to purchase farmed fish. This means I shop at two separate markets, but it’s worth it. I’ve bookmarked this page for reference. Thank you again!

    Reply
  6. Bec

    March 30, 2016 at 9:03 AM

    Thank you for the information. I really want to add tuna back into my family’s diet, but I am concerned about the mercury and radiation levels in the fish. Is consuming canned tuna wise while pregnant and for small children? What is your take on consuming tuna while pregnant? Would canned (non farmed) salmon be a better option?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 30, 2016 at 8:08 PM

      I stick to wild caught canned salmon, sardines and anchovies while pregnant and with my kids…

      Reply
      • kay

        March 6, 2017 at 1:14 PM

        Wild caught salmon is not on any list that mention mercury levels. Is it the same as the farm raised = “least mercury” list?
        And “consume freely” includes in pregnancy?

        Reply
  7. Katie

    March 30, 2016 at 8:04 AM

    Very informative article. All pros and cons are well described.

    Reply
  8. Linda

    March 29, 2016 at 11:12 PM

    Great article! Thanks for the information. Would you please comment on a shrimp farm in South America that is getting some attention? I have been buying Henry & Lisa’s shrimp from Natural Grocers and have heard very good things about their methods. Natural Grocers is pretty careful about the items they stock, but they aren’t perfect by a long shot. So I called Henry and Lisa’s at EcoFish.com and had a long talk with them about their shrimp farm and their practices. I was very impressed with them, although it is hard to verify information from a company that is so little known. However I did find this article by the National Resources Defense Council and they have some hopeful things to say about this matter. You can find it at:

    https://www.nrdc.org/stories/smart-seafood-buying-guide

    The article is entitled, “MEALS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: SHRIMP”. Henry Lovejoy, (founder of EcoFish and Henry & Lisa’s) is singled out in paragraphs 10 and 14 as an example of responsible shrimp farming and this company is recommended over wild caught shrimp.

    Please read over this article and comment on the contents. I would so value your opinion on this. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 30, 2016 at 8:17 PM

      Thanks for the info… I’m researching shrimp specifically but added your comment to the post…

      Reply
  9. Maria

    March 29, 2016 at 10:46 PM

    I’ve read before that one of the advantages of shellfish farming operations is that they actually improve the quality of the water they are in, since shellfish are generally filter feeders. This isn’t to say that they don’t have some of the other problems listed here, like competing with native species, but it’s a little ray of sunshine, at least!

    Reply
  10. Chandra-Lee Curry

    March 29, 2016 at 9:46 PM

    Thank you for such an informative post Katie. I truly wonder, with a quickly multiplying population of 7.4 billion, how seafood can remain a primary part of our diet? I cannot imagine nature meeting the ever-increasing demands… That being said, I have found a local CSF (community supported fishery) in Vancouver that also delivers to the interior provinces in Canada. CSF’s are boat-to-plate operations helping create a more sustainable future. I hope more people will learn of such operations and jump on board! 😉

    Reply
    • Michelle

      March 30, 2016 at 2:48 AM

      Thanks for your post Wellness Mama!

      TILAPIA is the Fish of choice in most parts of the world– cheap and cheerful.

      I don’t know if anyone has noticed this–but when it’s cooked- it smells like feces! We live in Brazil and they do feed their fish with just that- feces. They cook it in coconut and spices to mask the smell.

      They do the same for shark. They soak it in coconut milk before they cook it because it really stinks. (Sharks urinate through their skin.) There a link between those that consume shark meat and cancer…

      We very well might be the last generation to catch food from the ocean.
      My dad was a fisherman in Bermuda, and gave up his dream after 3 years because there were NO FISH!

      I read this incredible book:
      ***”The World Without Us” by Joshua Henkin. If the world did not consume fish for 5 years, it could really help to restore fish populations (rebuild fish stocks).

      It certainly helps to have protected areas- which there are— but the problem is… who is going to police such an enormous area? There is too much money involved… so it’s not a major concern for authorities. Many poor people along the coasts rely on fish for survival. But these protected areas are just dumping grounds for ships..

      We work at sea– and there are many illegal things that go on in that world…. it is really the Outlaw Sea.

      Europe has wiped out its fish populations since a long time already! Searching for resources in the New World.. it continued! Now, fisherman are searching farther away and deeper to get fish…

      The fish that we are eating– is it actually what they say it is?? If they are fabricating crab/ (and plastic rice!)… can they also do that with fish??

      This was another good book:

      *** “The Unnatural History of the Sea” by Callum M. Roberts

      The historical accounts on what the seas and rivers were like– breathtaking! A far cry from what I see today.
      Roberts does give hope though!

      Eat smart eat safe everyone!
      Cheers!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        March 30, 2016 at 3:03 AM

        ** Correction** whether in South America they feed the Tilapia fish feces (chicken feces or whatever) OR they are swimming in contaminated water– but how do you check?

        What my partner and I are considering- for clean fish protein– Aquaponics!

        Has anyone tried Aquaponics??? It looks doable! A full garden on top of a fish tank…. sounds like a great project for kids.

        🙂

        Reply
        • Elizabeth

          March 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM

          I have an aquaponics system! Use caution! It is addicting! Once you start you can’t stop! I grow all kinds of fruits, veggies, fish and craw daddies!! I grow food for my fish out of the grow beds and I’ve also started a mealworm farm for the fish they also have a tube that feeds them black solider flies automatically. My kids love feeding the fish and picking veggies! It’s actually more environmentally friendly than organic farming and more sustainable than any other form of gardening. The more research I do… The more crazy about aquaponics I become. The best thing is that you can have a system on a countertop in your kitchen or a giant one on acreage. My advice is “go for it!” You and your family will love it and your kids will have fun imagining designs for their own systems.

          Reply
          • Michelle

            April 3, 2016 at 11:19 AM

            Thank you Elizabeth! That is fantastic news!

            I am stoked about starting Aquaponics now!!

            I think it would be something wonderful to introduce to schools. Cafeteria lunches will never be the same again!

            Cheers!

          • Bonnie

            April 3, 2016 at 5:14 PM

            Elizabeth, Your aquaponics sounds similar to mine.We changed our in ground fiberglass swimming pool to a pond. We raise tilapia and catfish and crawdads. My cherry tomatoes are growing like a jungle. I have them cooking in the slow cooker today for homemade sauce.I love going in the backyard and netting some tilapia for dinner. We make our own raw dog food and every other batch we put fish in the recipe. Your right it is addicting.

    • Jennifer Di Vito

      April 3, 2016 at 5:14 PM

      Hi Chandra-Lee
      Can I have more information about your CSF in Vancouver?
      We live in Quebec, they would deliver the fish directly to us??

      Reply
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