Conserving Our Oceans: Be Fish Friendly

Be fish friendly: Buy only products that you know were sustainably harvested.

Since the eighth century, explorers and settlers have been drawn to the fishing grounds of the North Atlantic Ocean, whose marine abundance sustained North America’s fledgling European settlements and generations of fishermen.

Today, that abundance and the fishing industries and towns it has supported are threatened. In fact, some scientists estimate that up to 90 percent of large predatory fish (those that eat other animals — and usually end up on our dinner plates) have disappeared since humans began heavy fishing.

For example, overfishing led to the collapse in the 1990s of North Atlantic cod stocks that were once the backbone of coastal communities in New England and Canada. Twenty years later, they still show few signs of recovery. Marine animals are also caught and sold for aquariums and as souvenirs.

Unsustainable fishing is not only a threat to the Atlantic. You can avoid trouble by buying only products that you know were sustainably harvested. (Sustainable means that the species can maintain a healthy population and the natural balance is not disrupted by harvesting.)

• Watch what you eat: Look for sustainable seafood at the market and in restaurants. Learn what is sustainable by downloading this sustainable seafood guide. And when fishing for your own seafood, make sure you follow all local catch limits.

• Be careful with live fish: Never release an unwanted fish into the ocean or any waterway. Organisms that don't belong can crowd out the locals and disrupt the ecosystem.

• Select sea-friendly accessories: Steer clear of jewelry, mementos and products made from marine animals or animal parts, including shells and — especially — coral.

This tip is based on the Smithsonian Institution’s Web feature, “How You Can Help the Ocean.” Learn more about oceans and conservation at the Smithsonian’s Ocean Portal!