The Problem with Commercial Fish Farming

I came across a rather disturbing article a couple of weeks ago that stated if current trends continue, then all fish in the world’s oceans will be gone by 2050. Whether or not that is an accurate assessment, the fact remains that over-fishing and pollution are posing an ever-increasing threat to commercial fish populations. In the past couple decades, commercial fish farming has become a very popular way to help circumvent these omens of disasters. However, fish farming poses a paradox in itself, and currently is not accomplishing its goal of reducing our dependence on the ocean.

Humans love fish, and many areas depend on commercial fishing for economic reasons. Fish is generally a healthier source of protein than red meat, containing among other nutrients high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, it would make sense to focus on farming fish more than livestock. Fish farming has a number of benefits, including an ability to closely monitor fish hatches and maximize populations. Furthermore, risks of pollutants in commercially-raised fish are diminished. In the ocean, certain organisms called mysids are food for large fish that we eat. However, mysids can absorb many pollutant toxins before dying, and those toxins are transferred to fish we eat. Commercial fish farming can help reduce this risk. Although the practice of fish farming seems like a good idea and one that can help the environment, the reality of fish farming is not quite as simple.