5 Subtle Questions That Will Let You Know If Your Seafood Is Ethically Sourced
Posted on: 5 August 2015
While eating out at a restaurant like Gabriel's Restaurant Bar & Grill can be a treat, many people feel it is important to eat ethically sourced food. All types of food can have ethical issues regarding their harvesting, transportation, and preparation, but it is particularly difficult to make ethical choices when you eat seafood. This is because seafood often has global implications, not only for the health of the world's oceans, but also for the safety and financial well-being of fishing professionals worldwide. If you want to find ethically sourced seafood when you dine out, you have a few options.
While you should take a look at Greenpeace's current red list of fish you should avoid purchasing, you don't have to memorize the entire list. Instead, educate yourself about what constitutes an ethical fishing practice and develop some simple questions you can ask your server to make sure you are ordering the most ethical items on the menu.
Where Does the Fish Come From?
Locally sourced fish means that it uses less nonrenewable energy to get to you. Additionally, the fish may be fresher because it does not have to be frozen for extended transportation. Finally, if it is locally sourced fish, it means that it was likely caught under local regulations that take into consideration over fishing. It also means that you are supporting the local fishing industry as opposed to a foreign fishery that may not pay a living wage to its employees.
When Was the Seafood Caught?
It is common for patrons to want to know they are getting the freshest seafood possible. However, this question allows your server to tell you much more than when the seafood was caught. A good server will also tell you which choices are local and, if they use line-caught fish from local fishermen, they will be sure to let you know.
If the server does not know this information, the chef certainly should, and if the fish has been ethically sourced, they will generally share this information with a sense of pride.
What Unusual Seafood Can You Recommend?
One way to eat seafood ethically is to try something new. If too many people eat the common fish, such as salmon and tuna, it will be over fished. Instead, ask which items on the menu are less common but locally sourced and freshly harvested. This will give you a unique dining experience while maintaining ethical seafood standards.
Was the Fish Farmed or Wild?
Many people assume that fish farms are a sustainable solution to over fishing. Unfortunately, most fish require fish meal to thrive in a farm environment, which simply means that most farms switch from over fishing seafood to over fishing the food that feeds your seafood. In most cases, it is better to eat line-caught wild fish.
However, the exception to this rule is if you are eating fish that live on a vegetarian diet, such as tilapia or carp.
What Seafood is Currently In Season?
Most fine dining establishments will offer seasonal specials. Seasonal fish are usually caught locally and put less of a strain on the eco-system. If the restaurant you are at does not have a seasonal special, ask your waiter which fish is currently in season and they will tell you what their freshest options are.
Eating ethically should not put a damper on your evening out. Phrasing your questions in a way that allows you to learn more about the origins of your meal allows your server to share the restaurants sourcing techniques, which will be a point of pride for most fine dining establishments. It will also allow you to learn more about the fishing industry and, perhaps, try a new dish.
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