It seems whenever we try to solve a problem we end up creating another problem in order to solve the original one. Now that problem “A” is solved what are we going to do about problem “B” that was created in the wake of problem “A”? It is frustrating and somewhat depressing always having to choose between the lesser of two evils. We are facing this paradox in the unlikeliest of markets today: seafood.
Seafood is in growing demand so going out and catching a lot of fish puts burden on the wild stocks of fish. To solve this problem fish farming methods were created to help ease the burden on these stocks. Here is the problem: In order to raise fish on a farm you have to catch smaller fish to feed the fish that will be served to seafood lovers. The cycle of lesser evils begins. Or does it?
Researchers at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology have developed a plant-based diet for three kinds of popular fish. Basically they have put these fish on a vegetarian diet. Our first thought? What is this going to make the fish taste like? According to the institute taste-testers have not been able to taste the difference between the plant-eating vegan fish and their flesh-eating brothers. Although we are on the right track to solving two problems they have only taste-tested fish that were on a partial plant and fish oil diet, not on a completely plant-eating fish.
There is a good plan set for the future to protect our beloved seafood demands. This is actually solving a lot of problems. It is putting less stress on wild fish stocks. Secondly, ecosystems are fragile and when you start taking species out of this delicate balance something sooner or later is going to get thrown off. Finally (and probably most important to us), we get to enjoy our healthy and sought after seafood.
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*Photo source: delish.com
