Catch and release is a great practice, but every now and then, you need a little fresh fish for the table or a stream-side lunch.
The debate about what saltwater fish should be sold as wild or farmed or be sold at all is one that gets a lot of people in a tizzy.
The U.S. Government has recommended that we eat more fish, but environmental groups, commercial fishing groups, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is always up in arms about which of these fish is best to eat.
There are a ton of seafood purchasing guidelines out there. A great one is Seafood Watch by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
There are negative aspects to both fish farming and commercial fishing. Fish farms create a lot of waste and can be stressful on inshore habitats. Commercial fishing has a lot of bycatch and their trolling nets can destroy vital habitat.
I'm a little upset that no one brought in the recreational angler. You and I both know that the best fish to eat are the ones you catch. Recreational fishing does not harm the environment. We don't produce excess amounts of waste. We don't kill what we don't eat.
So next time you're at the fish counter, think about what you're ordering, and if maybe just keeping that catfish you caught last week would have been a better option.
–Brian McClintock
Interested in other saltwater conservation programs from organizations like the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust? Check out what GoFISHn has to say about protecting our marine resources.
