What is sustainable seafood?

January 29, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Sustainable seafood on ice

Sustainable food practices have been at the forefront of global discussions for some time now. And rightly so, considering how much it impacts our well-being. But what exactly does that mean, especially with regard to seafood?

In this blog, we’ll go over what sustainable seafood is really about, as well as the importance of making educated choices when it comes to seafood.

What is sustainable seafood?

In simplest terms, sustainable seafood is wild or farmed seafood that is harvested in environmentally-friendly ways. The overall goal is to ensure healthy and resilient ocean ecosystems.

At its core, sustainable seafood refers to responsible seafood choices at every stage of the journey from production to consumption. But due to their pertinent roles in the supply chain, the concept of sustainable seafood typically applies more directly to the anglers and suppliers.

For them, it’s all about adhering to environmentally sustainable practices. These practices generally include:

  • Minimizing overfishing
  • Conserving fish habitat
  • Minimizing cross-species interaction
  • Nurturing depleted fish populations
  • Ensuring fishing gear has minimal impact on the oceans' ecosystems

This approach helps keep the marine population at a healthy level while also offering jobs to residents of nearby towns and communities.

How bad are things with seafood sustainability?

There are several problems associated currently plaguing the fishing industry, but perhaps the most concerning is overfishing. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), roughly 94% of fish populations are overfished, meaning they are being extracted from the oceans faster than they can naturally replenish.

This has resulted in large-scale manmade fish farms where seafood creatures are bred in captivity and sold off once matured. However, this method presents some environmental concerns too. For one, fish tanks often have to be treated with chemicals so they can contain so many fish at a time. In many cases, this treated wastewater is dumped right into the oceans, upsetting the ecosystem and impacting other sea creatures in the wild.

What can I do to promote seafood sustainability?

Seafood sustainability is an all-hands-on-deck issue and the end consumers play a critical role. By helping contribute to a healthier ocean, you not only get quality seafood but also ensure that future generations can experience and savor the many seafood delicacies that are staples across the world.

Thankfully, there is growing consumer demand for seafood that has been caught or farmed ethically and sustainably. Over 80% of seafood consumers across the globe believe it is important to make responsible decisions so that seafood can be protected for future generations.

To that end, some of the simplest things you can do to promote seafood sustainability include:

  • Diversify your seafood choices
  • Opt for lower carbon emission seafood
  • Buy Local
  • Avoid vulnerable fish

Is sustainable seafood good quality?

Very much so. Much better in fact compared to farmed seafood. Check out our post on Comparing farm versus wild shrimp to get a better idea of how they are different.

From Dock to Plate at Tommy’s

Tommy’s Seafood Inc. was founded in 1982. We are a seasoned gulf seafood processor based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our specialty? Wild-Caught, sustainable Seafood — Wild Shrimp, Blue Crab, Gulf Oysters, Crawfish, and more.

Tommy's Seafood has supplied fresh and quality seafood from the Gulf coast and the surrounding waters of Lake Pontchartrain to retailers and restaurants across the region.

We’re all about higher-quality seafood from dock to plate. Our freezing method freezes seafood within minutes, not hours. This locks in the freshness and peak flavor without compromising the texture. We also custom pack our products to suit your brand specifications, as well as provide R&D services to assist with inquiries from end consumers about our products.

Get your sustainable seafood at Tommy’s!

Call us at (504) 271-9735 or fill out our contact form to request a quote on your next order of sustainable seafood. You can also send us any questions you may have to Info@TommysSeafood.com and we’ll be sure to get back to you shortly.