Sustainable Seafood - Where does your seafood come from?

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Amoheather almost 8 years ago My favorite type of fish to eat is tilapia. I was not a fan of eating fish while growing up, but when I was a teenager I went to Mexico and fell in love with the fish tacos. I like the tilapia fried and with spicy sauce on my tacos. :) I was interested to find out where the tilapia I eat comes from, so I decided to do some research. Apparently, tilapia is farmed, cheap, and abundant in supply. The US production of tilapia farming is growing, but most of its supply is imported from Asia and Latin America (hello fish tacos from Mexico!) But in 2008, a study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that tilapia was lower in comparison to salmon and other fish, concerning omega-3 fatty acids. Many people (including myself) are under the impression that fish are high in fatty acids, which help prevent heart disease and diabetes, but tilapia is much lower than salmon and other sources in benefits. The study recommended to readers that if one's Doctor is telling them to eat more fish in order to prevent risk of heart disease, they should consume sources like salmon, because of its higher ratio of omega 3s and 6s. I'll still eat my tilapia fish tacos, but I guess I'll need to take up salmon too. :) http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/04/09/truth-about-tilapia/ http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/food-safety/article/truth-about-tilapia

Francesca.m.menendez almost 8 years ago Having grown up in Florida with seafood as a large part of my diet, I�۪ve grown to love tuna, such as Atlantic and Pacific Bluefin tuna. As noted, these species of tuna can be found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. According to WWF, a major concern of tuna is largescale overfishing. The loss of the species has a negative impact on the food chain which can have deleterious effects on ocean ecosystems on a whole. (Source: http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing)

Tcoope25 almost 8 years ago Tilapia is my favorite! I enjoy eating tilapia in many ways. I bake it, fry it, and blacken it from time to time. Tilapia is commonly farmed in a tank that reuses production water. Tilapia is mainly harvested in the U.S. and Latin America. Tilapia is ready to be harvested when it's about six months old. Tilapia is harvested year-round and usually is raised on a vegetarian-based diet. Tilapia is relatively resistant to disease which reduces the use of antibiotics.

Troggow almost 8 years ago I love a good variety of seafood, but to me there is nothing better than fried catfish! Channel catfish are actually native to the southeastern region of the United States, meaning most of the fish I consume are locally harvested from eco-friendly ponds on converted agricultural land. Catfish are over-populated, however, and are considered invasive in the Chesapeake Bay area.http://www.chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/fisheries-hot-topics/ncbo-funded-research-on-invasive-catfish http://seafood.edf.org/catfish

Yaguirre almost 8 years ago My absolute favorite seafood is shrimp! You can make so many hot/cold dishes with it and it's so yummy. Approximately 60% of the world�۪s shrimp is now farm-raised. This practice, known as aquaculture, is increasing each year worldwide and is an important factor in feeding many sectors of the world�۪s. Roughly 90% of all shrimp consumed in the United States is imported. The majority of that comes from aquaculture. Aquaculture provides a controlled, safe environment for raising many types of seafood, it plays an important role in maintaining the global food supply. Approximately 60% of the world�۪s shrimp is farm-raised. Our primary sources are Ecuador and Thailand. Both countries have excellent records of food safety and quality, an especially important factor considering the concerns about food imports from certain parts of the world. SOURCE: http://www.seafoodexchange.net/ask_shrimp.html

Ncarnegi almost 8 years ago My favorite seafood is the one and only Salmon. Salmon is caught in either the North Atlantic Ocean and also the North Pacific Ocean (8 species) depending on what species it is. I don't have any concerns on the abundance of salmon because it varies depending on the climate in its atmosphere. A count is measured and different techniques are used to sample the amount of Salmon that are available to be caught. http://m.icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/68/6/1122.abstract http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/research/projects/salmon_abundance_research_methods/

Jordanbrittain14 almost 8 years ago My favorite type of fish to eat would have to be salmon! It tastes delicious and it has healthy omega -3 fatty acids! That is a two for one special if you ask me! Most salmon that is imported into the United States is found in Alaska and British Columbia. It is found in the Northern waters. I just learned that there is becoming more of a scarcity for salmon. Salmon farming has become extremely popular, however I�۪m worried because of farms pollution. Not to mention the disease that can be spread because of artificially raising fish. How can we produce more fish naturally and not artificially? http://grist.org/article/a/

Rlstagg almost 8 years ago Since almost all of my family lives in Louisiana I�۪ve grown up eating seafood my whole life and I really enjoy it. Some of my favorites are: stuffed crab, salmon, lobster, and shrimp. Out of all of those I would have to say that fried catfish is probably my most favorite. Did you know that the catfish industry is actually one of the largest fishing industries in the world. Most catfish are harvested in man-made constructed pounds with large levees and approximately 25,000 pounds of fish are caught at a time. I thought it was interesting that in the Chesapeake Bay two types of catfish, the flathead and the blue catfish became known as invasive species because they had become a threat to the native species due to their abundance. Overall channel catfish are the most popular in North America because of their size, abundance and popularity. They are primarily found in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Tennessee. http://msucares.com/aquaculture/catfish/harvest.html http://www.chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/fish-facts/invasive-catfish https://americanexpedition.us/channel-catfish-facts-info-and-photos

Whitneypeek almost 8 years ago Two of my favorite fish to eat are tuna and tilapia. I love tuna sandwiches with mayo and tomatoes. One of my favorite meals that my dad makes is with Tilapia, brown rice, spinach, and queso. The canned tuna business has been around for a hundred years. The United States, Thailand, Philippines, Ecuador and Indonesia are the main suppliers for canned tuna. Surprisingly, only one percent of the world�۪s canned tuna actually comes from the United States. When Tilapia originated in the Nile River but can but found all over the world due to escaping fish farms and voluntary release programs. They are sometimes known as St. Peter�۪s fish because of the bible story in Mathew where Peter was stuck inside of a fish. http://www.fishermansoutfitter.com/what-do-tilapia-eat-and-other-tilapia-facts/ http://www.fishermansoutfitter.com/what-do-tilapia-eat-and-other-tilapia-facts/

Tphill39 almost 8 years ago I like shrimp, mahi mahi and my favorite type of sushi is yellowtail amberjack. Most of our shrimp in the United States from Thailand which is the worlds number two shrimp export in the world. Shrimp is the most widely consumed seafood in the US. "Catchers often resort to bottom-trawling, an imprecise, highly destructive fishing method, in order to catch enough to justify an outing. On the other hand, farm-raised shrimp, which account for the great majority consumed in the US and Europe, require lots of cleared acreage, and take feed that leaves the ocean-bound water they live in polluted. Owing to cheap feeding techniques, as well as ineffective regulations on inspections, these shrimp also can contain harmful substances" This is a bit I read on this website http://marinesciencetoday.com/2014/02/07/raising-shrimp-americas-favorite-seafood/ about shrimp fishing which is apparetly a highly destructive process.

Waylortolf almost 8 years ago I absolutely love Salmon! Salmon are typically found in the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans! They're so cool though, because they're anadromous, so they're born in fresh water! I think Salmon taste's best when my grandma grills it and puts her homemade sauce on top!

Lweltch almost 8 years ago Some of my favorite seafood is Salmon, shrimp, lobster and Snow Crab. The little that I know about crab catching actually comes from Deadliest Catch, I have watched the dangers of the Bering Sea and abundance of the crab for many seasons. My concern with this is, if it is so dangerous now or if sea conditions become worse, then what will that do to the crab population for restaurants and stores? Is there a better or safer way to catch crab? Maybe there is a better way to do so without disrupting the local fish populations too.

Sammy062192 almost 8 years ago I don't eat seafood often, but when I do it's white tuna fish or Escolar. I put it with mayonnaise and make a sandwich. It is found deep in the tropical climates most commonly Hawaii. It has been declining in sale since a health scare has arisen within the last couple decades.It can sometimes give you fish poisoning like stomach cramps. The FDA tried to ban it in the 1990s due to so many cases of people feeling sick from it. In Hawaii the bill was differed on 2007. (Wikipedia) Samantha Thayer

Kelsayymontayy almost 8 years ago My favorite kind of seafood is definitely Bluefin Tuna, and I love to eat it with sandwiches. From what I gathered, Japan catches more than half of the total catch of Bluefin. The United States also catches a substantial amount. Korea and Mexico also partake in the catch of the Bluefin. The current biomass level of the Bluefin is at a historic low and the exploitation levels are at an extreme high, meaning that they are an endangered species. Stock is declining due to the high level of demand for the Bluefin, and regulations are in place to reduce the recruitment of them. If they keep being captured at this rate, they could eventually go extinct. They are large predators, and their extinction could drastically affect pelagic ecosystems as they play a very important role. Sources: http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/atlantic-bluefin-tuna.html , https://swfsc.noaa.gov/FRD-PacificBlueFinTuna/

Surban1 almost 8 years ago My favorite fish is Yellowtail Snapper, and I love to eat it in sushi. It is distributed from North Carolina to southeastern Brazil, but it is most abundant in the Bahamas, off the coast of south Florida, and the Caribbean. In the U.S. Southern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico the abundance of Yellowtail Snapper is considered healthy. Yellowtail are a rapidly fast growing species that develops sexual maturity at a young age and can produce many eggs. A common way to catch Yellowtail Snapper is to hook-and-line gear, which has little impact on the seafloor, but at the same time it catches some depleted grouper species. This fish also has a somewhat high level of mercury that could cause a health risk to adults and children.

Madison.gentry16 almost 8 years ago I have never been a huge fan of seafood, but if I had to choose a favorite it would be Rainbow Trout. According to fao.org, rainbow trout are native to the pacific drainages of North America, ranging from Alaska to Mexico. North America is home to a large supply of rainbow fish, harvested in fish farms. However, North America is not the only home to trout fish farms, other major producers are Europe, Chile, Japan and Austrailia. There is not much worry about the abundance of trout, because trout are produced through artificial fertilization; trout are considered a monoculture (FAO). From the information I gained, it seems that if we needed more trout we could produce it, and if we needed less we could stop reproduction. www.FAO.org

Morganshepherd22 almost 8 years ago My favorite type of seafood to eat is flounder. I prefer to only eat fish that is a product of the USA, so the flounder I eat is from the United States. After research, I discovered that Southern flounder is caught by shrimp fishery in coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. Common locations that this fish is found include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The population for the Southern flounder is uncertain, but regulations have reduced harvests and the mortality from fishing. Biologists do believe that the current population meets the conservation target and that the flounder stock is stable, as long as there is not an increase in fishing. Also, the loss of wetland habitat can also affected the flounder population as this fish spends much of its life in these estuarine areas. (Reference: www.gulffishinfo.org/Species?SpeciesID=188)

Hhope3 almost 8 years ago I love several types of seafood including shrimp, salmon and tilapia but my favorite is Alaskan Pollock. Alaskan Pollock is the largest by volume in the United States and is one of the largest in the world. All Alaskan Pollock is wild-caught in the northern Pacific Ocean. Alaskan Pollock is high in protein and low in fat and provides between 400 to 500 milligrams of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids per 3 ounce cooked serving. http://seafoodhealthfacts.org/seafood_choices/pollock.php

Amalone7 almost 8 years ago As a kid, I was never a fan of seafood. Looking back now, I am thankful my mother forced on me because now I love most seafoods I try. My favorites have been shrimp, salmon, mahimahi, but most of all cod (especially when it is fried in pancake batter). Enough about the history for my new found love for fish though. I never really though about where it came from, until now. After some research, I found that cod is technically called Atlantic Cod. It got its name because our main import used to be from the North Atlantic. But from Gordon's fish sticks to McDonald's fish-filet, the population decreased dramatically. We began importing from the pacific, where other white fish were found and became almost as popular. Now, we get frozen bulk shipments from Asia, Germany, and the Netherlands. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/22/opinion/sunday/why-are-we-importing-our-own-fish.html?_r=0

Cljohnson4795 almost 8 years ago I am a HUGE seafood fan. From shrimp, to lobster, and sushi, I enjoy just about everything. I have to say that my favorite type of fish to eat would be grilled Mahi-Mahi. An interesting fact about the Mahi Mahi is that they are commonly known as a dolphin-fish because they belong to the Coryphaenidae family. Their most attractive feature is their stunning colors and ability to undergo a rapid change in color when they become excited. The name mahi mahi means "very strong" in Hawaiian. They are surface dwellers, and can be found in offshore temperate, tropical and subtropical waters across the world. Mahi Mahi are highly sought for sport fishing and commercial purposes, in addition to being a popular dish in many restaurants. The United States and the Caribbean countries are primary consumers of this type of fish. The population has remained healthy and stable; around 30,000 to 40,000 tons of Mahi Mahi is being harvested every year around the world with Ecuador, Costa Rica, Japan, and the United States being the largest exporting countries. http://www.totalfisherman.com/blog/1548/mahi-mahi/

Hgunter2 almost 8 years ago One of my favorite seafood items is Cod! Did you know that there are three important species of Cod? There are the Atlantic Cod, Pacific Cod, and Greenland Cod and the name determines where they are caught. Cod farms were attempted but said to be difficult because they larvae require fresh food unlike those of other fish that are farmed such as salmon. Between these three species of Cod, they can range in weights from around 50 pounds to 200 pounds. The Cod are carnivores and Humans are their main enemies because we kill them for their meat and the oil and vitamins in their liver. Cod has been over fished and in doing so markets label other fish as Cod although they aren�۪t. http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/cod_facts/688/ http://orma.com/sea-life/cod-facts-cod-faq/ http://www.fisheries.no/aquaculture/aquaculture_species/Farmed-cod/#.VjbUYYRuLlI

Laura-2526 almost 8 years ago My favorite seafood is Salmon. They mostly thrive in the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A pretty cool fact about salmon is that they're anadromous, which means they can survive in both fresh and salt water. About one-third of the world�۪s salmon comes from the U.S but nearly half is going overseas. Most of the salon being eaten by the U.S comes from farms in Chile, Canada, and Norway and processing factories in China.

Kmaginni almost 8 years ago Whoever knew that there were that many type of shrimp? While it's my favorite seafood, I never thought much about it. Did you know that prawns are bigger shrimp? Or that the Spanish word for shrimp is camar�_n or camar�_nes? Maybe you did! But did you also know that Shrimp can be farmed, not just caught? "Farmed shrimp refers to warm water varieties that are grown in open and closed pond systems supplemented with formulated feeds (1)." And that farming or fishing shrimp can hurt other creatures too? It can damage marine habitats (where other ocean animals and fish live), thus taking away food that others (like those cute seahorses) eat (2)? Plus fishing for some kinds of shrimp, like the Atlantic Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis), is prohibited because of how few there are now (3)? I had no clue! Next time you go to eat your favorite seafood do yourself and your fishy friends a favor by doing your homework first! [Information from the following sources: (1) SeafoodHealthFacts.org . (2010). Seafood Choices: Shrimp. Retrieved from: http://seafoodhealthfacts.org/seafood_choices/shrimp.php . (2) Project Seahorse. The facts about shrimp trawling and farming. Retrieved from: http://www.projectseahorse.org/facts-about-shrimp/ . (3) Fish Watch. (2015). Atlantic Northern Shrimp. Retrieved from: http://www.fishwatch.gov/profiles/atlantic-northern-shrimp .]

Dorojenb almost 8 years ago My favorite seafood is shrimp. Shrimp can thrive almost everywhere. Most of the shrimp that we eat in the U.S comes from the waters around Mexico, Central America, and South America. Shrimp get overfished but they are not on the endangered species list because they are still abundant.http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/pls/webpls/trade_prdct_cntry_ind_mth.results?qtype=IMP&qmonthfrom=01&qmonthto=02&qyearfrom=2015&qyearto=2015&qprod_name=SHRIMP&qcountry=%25&qsort=COUNTRY&qoutput=TABLE

Apannel5 almost 8 years ago Atlantic salmon is my favorite seafood. Wild salmon thrive in the North Atlantic outside Maine and can still be caught by recreational fishers, but most of the commercial catch sold in the U.S. is imported from Canada. Wild salmon is under the Endangered Species Act because of being overfished, and there are many efforts being made to rehabilitate their population and habitat. (Information from: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/atlsalmon/)