Changing the way we think about our oceans…

Is Farm-Raised Seafood Sustainable or Not? (Part 1)

Last year, seafood raised at aquaculture operations, or farms, reached a major milestone. More seafood eaten on this planet now comes from farms than from the wild. As population grows, this trend will continue, demanding ecologically responsible aquaculture. In Part 1 of this series, SOP boils down attributes that determine a farm’s sustainability.
A broad umbrella [...]

Carolina Seafood: Keeping it Fresh

Duke University students and Carteret Catch, a fish industry marketing and education group in Carteret County, are teaming up to bring fresh North Carolina seafood to local markets. The collaboration is one of the latest community supported fisheries (CSF) programs to pop up in the United States. The goals are clear: increase access to locally [...]

Target Takes Aim at Farmed Salmon

In a monumental move, retail giant Target announced yesterday that it is removing all farm-raised salmon products from its 1,744 stores nationwide. From now on, salmon sold under Target owned brands will be wild-caught and from Alaska. While this is another significant contribution to the sustainable seafood movement, SOP explains how Target can do more [...]

Eat More Pest Species (Vol. 2)

Amid headlines dominated by health care reform and U.S. relief efforts in Haiti, a story about Asian carp and its potentially disastrous effects on the Great Lakes has grabbed people’s attention. The President, Supreme Court, and now Congress are involved in figuring out how to deal with this invasive species. Supported by SOP, one win-win [...]

Oprah Labels Sardines A ‘Superfood’

We all know when Oprah speaks, America listens. She recently singled out sardines as an ingredient that we should incorporate into our diet. SOP agrees with Oprah because this little fish that could is sustainable, good for you, and very tasty.

Last month, Oprah announced on her website 25 superfoods we should consider eating if we [...]

Sustainable Seafood Abroad: England

So far, SOP has taken a mostly U.S.-centric view of sustainable seafood. The movement is also thriving in a handful of other countries around the world. As part of a new series, we will highlight efforts taking place outside of the U.S. Our first stop is across the pond in England.

Some of England’s chefs and [...]

Sustainable Versus Unsustainable Tuna (plus a Recipe)

Tuna is probably the most sought after fish in the world. A 282-pound bluefin tuna fetched over $100,000 at a Tokyo auction this year. This is troubling because economics and lack of regulation are driving bluefin tuna populations to dangerously low levels. Fortunately, some fisheries for tuna species such as skipjack, albacore, yellowfin, and bigeye [...]

Eat More Pest Species (Vol. 1)

Marine pest species are fish or shellfish that inhabit bodies of water and fundamentally change (in a bad way) the surrounding ecosystem. They can be introduced to an area directly by human carelessness (e.g., releasing snakehead fish in your local pond) or through the effects of environmental and ecological changes. In this case, the cownose [...]

Maine Fishermen Think Outside the Net

Fishermen are among the most innovative people in the world. They have to be in order to make a living and survive as an industry. The Midcoast Fishermen’s Cooperative is changing the way they do business with an eye toward sustainability of their livelihood and the resources on which they depend. SOP sat down [...]

What is Sustainable Seafood?

So far, SOP has tried to convince you that the sustainable seafood movement is a legitimate social development. Along the way, some of you may have asked, “What exactly is sustainable seafood?” Let’s take a step back for a quick schooling.
Sustainable seafood is complex and dynamic issue. SOP does not expect seafood consumers [...]