Where Are the "Other Fish In the Sea?"
Have you ever heard the adage, "there are other fish in the sea?" Although this is commonly used following unfortunate dating experiences, I could not shake the phrase last week despite the fact that school was my sole activity. Apparently, the phrase became integrated in the United States in the early 1900s and continues to find its way into daily conversation despite the fact that it is dangerously close to becoming a fallacy.
Last Wednesday, DukeFish sponsored a showing of "The End of the Line," a film about the global collapse of fisheries. A battle waged in my head for the entire day - to see or not to see, that was the question. I knew that the movie would be depressing, but eventually self-torture won and I found myself sitting in Love Auditorium waiting for the film to start. If you have not seen this film, I would highly recommend it. The message is dire - under a business as usual scenario, scientists expect to see the "end of seafood" by approximately the middle of this century. I am sure that there are many of people that are skeptical of this claim. Yes, yields have continued to increase as fishing operations increase the level of technology and skill necessary to tap previously un-tappable stocks. However, fish no longer have a place left to hide. Furthermore, the technology used today does not only capture immense numbers of fish, but it also destroys ecosystems, non-target species, and societies around the globe. A unique aspect of the film is the focus on the socioeconomic effects that occur as fisheries collapse. It is sad to see American fisherman struggle with historically lower catches, but a look at developing countries makes the story absolutely heart wrenching. "The End of the Line" uses Senegal as a case study to demonstrate how people who exclusively rely on their catch of a few dozen fish for sustenance and economic livelihood are devastated when American, European, and Japanese ships take up residence in or directly adjacent to their waters and proceed to harvest every last sea creature.
My longstanding decision not to consume sea creatures is firmly rooted in moral grounds. While I realize that I am certainly in the minority, I hope that everyone who chooses to consume fish or other sea life is educated in the environmental and social ramifications of their decision. The film suggests choosing certified sustainably produced seafood, such as products bearing the Marine Stewardship Council logo. I am sure that this is better than nothing, but honestly will it prevent the ultimate collapse? The seafood market is so entrenched in disaster that demand-side educational solutions can only be expected to make a dent. I think that we need to consider the social and ethical issues involved, focusing on people in developing nations and most fragile ecosystems first. I wish that there was an easy solution to this dilemma, but the fact that a silver bullet is unlikely to appear makes me wonder if "Finding Nemo" will be the last fish-related movie with a happy ending that I will ever see.
