Friday June 08, 2012

Carole’s Concoctions:
What is Sustainable Seafood?

It's World Ocean's Day today and it's all about cherishing the oceans and encouraging us to eat "sustainable seafood."  But that's where I have a problem.  What is sustainable?  Marion Nestle defined it in my radio interview with her as "What you take out, you put back?"  I can't get my head around that one as it relates to seafood.

And I think we all get confused by the latest nutrition mantras - eat lots of salmon because it has the most omega-3's.  All of the sudden, everyone wants salmon which in turn leads to over-fishing, poorly farmed versions and a conundrum for deep thinkers like me.  So, I basically avoid salmon for the most part and "vote with my fork." 

I think we should look for local catches or in-season fish whenever possible.  But that's a simple, over-generalization that I don't really understand.  When I visit my parents in Rhode Island it seems that Atlantic Cod would be a great choice, or perhaps lobster.  Are these sustainable? SO I do my homework and find out that "local" Atlantic cod is not sustainable, but Maine lobster is OK.  Well goodie for me because I LOVE lobster!! But I love cod.  What to do?  So confused!!  One the best resources I have found on the subject is the Monterey Bay Aquarium website.  They have apps and information on better choices.

So for today, I decided that we'd have scallops which are for the most part a good choice - phew!!  And, believe it or not CLAMS are sustainable, too.  Here's a recipe for Linguine with Clam Sauce.

I'd love your thoughts about the sustainability of seafood issue.  I doubt our grandparents had to think much about it.