Something’s Fishy…
June 21, 2008 by Allison Boyer
Filed under Business
Although there’s been a major push over the last few years to go organic, reports show that even the best and greenest supermarkets out there are failing in the seafood department.
Greenpeace recently sponsored a program called “Carting Away the Ocerns: How Grocery Stores are Emptying the Seas.” As part of this program, they rated the 20 top supermarkets in the United States. Some of the factors in the rating included:
- Seafood procurement policies
- Labeling and transparency
- Supporting sustainable seafood
- Number of products sold from the “Red List”
Sadly, the highest score given as a 4 out of 10. Whole Foods, Ahold USA, and Harris Teeter all received this score, with Wegmans, Wal-Mart, and Target all scoring a 3 out of 10. All of the groups on the list sold fish from the Red List
The Red List is a list of 22 fished/farmed species that are making a significant impact on the environment. It can be tempting to purchase, but I urge you to avoid the following fishes:
- Albacore Tuna
- Atlantic Cod (Scrod)
- Atlantic Halibut
- Atlantic Salmon
- Atlantic Sea Scallop
- Bigeye Tuna
- Bluefin Tuna
- Chilean Sea Bass
- Greenland Halibut
- Grouper
- Hoki
- Monkfish
- Ocean Quahog
- Orange Roughy
- Pollock
- Redfish
- Red Snapper
- Shark
- Skates and Rays
- Swordfish
- Tropical Shrimp
- Yellowfin Tuna
Instead, shop for “green” fish that are not overfished, like talipia, and ask your supermarket to adopt policies for supporting a greener seafood department. better yet, if you like near the shore, buy your fish fresh from local fishermen, instead of from the supermarket.
Picture via sxc.hu.
