I am very fond of ocean-related things. I love to whales, water, sand, tidepools, kelp (the forests of the sea), and jellyfish. I get a kick out of imagining the ocean teeming with life, with schools of fish swimming around, whales traveling along the coast, crustaceans scuttling among the coral. Ahh, in my imagination all of the fish and sea mammals are smiling and happy. Unfortunately, the ocean is polluted, overfished, and dreary in many places. Whale populations are still trying to rebound from the dwindling numbers they reached during the hight of whaling. Some countries (ahem, Japan) continue whaling practices. People around the world enjoy eating seafood. There are many human health benefits that encourage the practice of seafood consumption. Sadly, much of the fish that is used for consumption is fished in a manner that is detrimental not only to fish populations but to the seafloor environment. The trawlers used by fishermen often scrape the seafloor ripping up kelp (essential to healthy ocean ecosystem function) and breaking coral (critical and endangered ocean habitat). Additionally, most fishing companies fish for a specific fish species. Their nets are unable to differentiate between the fish they are trying to catch and the fish they aren't (obviously). When they catch the "undesireable" fish they do not immediately throw them back. The fish die and are not used at all.
The phrase "there are plenty of fish in the sea" is slowly becoming a very inaccurate one. Sure there are a lot of fish left in the sea, but compared to the healthy levels that existed several decades ago, what is left looks mighty pitiful. So, the question to be asked here is not whether or not there will be enough fish left to feed this globe's ever booming population, but whether or not we can help the ocean ecosystem regain and maintain healthy function. Sea creatures depend on one another for survival--each species of fish or mammal eats the one smaller than it, many depend on kelp forests, coral, or iceburgs for shelter and protection, and all sea plants and animals (including sea birds) need clean water that is oil and garbage free.
Since fish populations are dwindling and most fisheries' practices are unsustainable I have decided not to eat seafood. This decision was influenced by other factors as well, such as the high levels of mercury that bioaccumulates in fish (particularly large fish) and the fact that the taste of fish is not particularly enjoyable to me. I made this decision a long time ago and have stuck to it. Fortunately for others who would still like to eat fish, sustainable fisheries are becoming more and more common! These fisheries do not "take" more fish from a population than is safe, closely monitor fish populations, use energy efficiently, and do not trawl the ocean floor. There are programs such as Ocean Wise that help consumers make sustainable seafood choices.
We were able to see some of the ocean's amazing creatures, as well as those that live in the Amazon Rainforest's rivers and banks at Vanaqua yesterday. Hooray!
There was an open area with amazing birds such as these Macaws, butterflies, and even a sloth!
There were all kinds of fish: tropical, pacific, freshwater, saltwater. The diversity down there is incredible.
There was no short supply of ocean mammals at the aquarium. We saw three beluga whales, three dolphins, three seals, two sea lions, and two otters!
There was also a cool exhibit where you could see jellyfish at every stage of jellyfish life, as well as one with about a1000 baby octopuses (octopi?). Great aquarium overall, and to think, we went to Canada and back for a day trip!
As a side note, one of my favorite photographers/environmental artists Chris Jordan did a set of work entitled Midway. He traveled to Midway island to expose the tragedy happening to the enormous albatross population that lives there. These photos are revealing, gut-wrenching, honest, and not for the faint of heart. I encourage all who care to learn about the plight these birds are in and why.
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