Anybody else seen the yesterday's (Dec 7) CBC Passionate Eye story about the condition of the fish stocks worldwide? Very interesting show and lots of thought for food - literally! On a grand scale - almost all fish species used for human consumption are in steep decline over the last 50 years. Some are beyond repair (such as the Canadian Atlantic Cod). Tuna in generally are in very bad shape and certain tuna species on the verge of extinction (blue fin). Confirms my personal choice not to consum commercially sold tuna anymore and I would urge you all to do the same as the documentary agreed that consumer'c choice has a huge impact. They also highlighted the unsustainability of carnivore fish farming by depleting oceans of smaller forage fish for fish meal. Also showed examples of the dramatical impact on ecosystems when the top of the food chain fish are gone: one was near the Carolinas where there is a ray and skate population explosion because of the loss of larger sharks. Atlantic Canada - lobsters strive because no cod there to keep them under control anymore. Once they are overfished too then all we have left will be jellyfish, algae and worms - hmmm yummy!
What blowed me away was to see the absolute ignorance by the politicians. One of the examples featured was the EU Fisheries Commission to set limits on tuna within EU territories (North Atlantic, Mediterrean). The commission is supposed to make rules based on scientist's recommendations. Their scientists said 10,000 t of tuna catch limit (per year) is needed to regrow the stocks within a certain time period (since they are in bad shape). The scientists further said 30,000 t limit is needed for the survival of the species. The commission decided on something like 60,000 t limit. WTF? What is wrong with people, huh? If we are so blantantly steer the ship into a rock wall - I mean what do you say to this? Anyway, was a good documentary and further confirms my opinion that drastic changes are needed quickly or we ALL look into an "empty" ocean in front of our doorstep. Maybe you hold off and think for a second next time you feel like ordering a tuna subway or tuna sushi.
What blowed me away was to see the absolute ignorance by the politicians. One of the examples featured was the EU Fisheries Commission to set limits on tuna within EU territories (North Atlantic, Mediterrean). The commission is supposed to make rules based on scientist's recommendations. Their scientists said 10,000 t of tuna catch limit (per year) is needed to regrow the stocks within a certain time period (since they are in bad shape). The scientists further said 30,000 t limit is needed for the survival of the species. The commission decided on something like 60,000 t limit. WTF? What is wrong with people, huh? If we are so blantantly steer the ship into a rock wall - I mean what do you say to this? Anyway, was a good documentary and further confirms my opinion that drastic changes are needed quickly or we ALL look into an "empty" ocean in front of our doorstep. Maybe you hold off and think for a second next time you feel like ordering a tuna subway or tuna sushi.
