Many people want to find ways to help the environment, especially as signs of climate change become more severe. Some American seafood restaurant owners in New Orleans may not realize that they can make a significant impact by adjusting where and how they source their food.
For example, some fishers and seafood companies practice unethical behaviors, which negatively affect the environment. These methods not only harm the environment, but they also unnecessarily drive up the price of seafood. However, restaurants can avoid supporting these behaviors by getting their fish, shrimp, crab and more from companies that sell sustainable seafood.
But what is sustainable seafood? And how do you know if you’re purchasing seafood from an ethical company? Here’s everything you need to know about sustainable seafood.
What is sustainable seafood?
Sustainable seafood refers to wild-caught and farm fisheries, specifically those that adhere to environmentally sustainable practices. These practices include minimizing overfishing, nurturing depleted fish populations, minimizing cross-species interaction and conserving fish habitat. This approach not only keeps the fish population at a healthy level, it also offers jobs to various marine towns and communities.
How do I know if I’m buying food from an ethical seafood company?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States ensures that all certified US-based sustainable fisheries abide by said practices above. They visit these fisheries to ensure the fish population is able to thrive in a healthy environment and that overfished populations have the opportunity to recover. The NOAA actively works to address any unregulated fishing practices or overfishing both in the United States and around the globe. Their work ensures that we don’t deplete the oceans, rivers and lakes of an all-important food source and crucial participant in the environment.
Is sustainable seafood good quality?
Yes, both wild-caught and farmed fisheries produce delicious, high-quality seafood for commercial and hospitality industries. And because sustainable seafood aims to maintain a healthy habitat for the fish, shrimp, crab and more, the species can thrive more easily.
Can I sell sustainable seafood at my restaurant?
Absolutely! We here at Tommy's Seafood practice sustainable seafood and sell a variety of wild-caught seafood to many different restaurants throughout New Orleans and beyond. Our goal is to provide each and every one of our clients with top-of-the-line seafood while maintaining strict guidelines to ensure each and every fish has what it needs to exist in a sustainable way.
It may seem a bit overwhelming to try to convert all your food to ethical sourcing. However, the process is easier than you may realize. And if you start by providing your patrons with sustainable seafood, they’ll appreciate that your restaurant is doing everything possible to help the environment.
Tommy’s Seafood is dedicated to supporting the environment while creating delicious, sustainable seafood for all of our clients. If you’re curious about sustainable seafood and want to learn about how you can add this to your restaurant, contact us today! We’d love to connect with you.
