Seafood is big business in Florida. According to the , seafood production has an annual economic impact of more than $400 million.
So it鈥檚 in our best interest to ensure that Florida seafood is sustainable.
鈥淭he definition is generally seafood that is harvested in a way that will promote the conservation and continued sustainable production of that species,鈥� says , Florida Sea Grant Agent with the University of Florida IFAS Extension. 鈥淪o they鈥檙e managed in a way that can be regulated, and they鈥檙e harvested in a way that is not damaging to the environment or to that species鈥� ability to continue to reproduce into the future and continue to provide us with a good protein source.鈥�
How can you be sure your seafood is sustainable? It鈥檚 complicated.
Sustainability depends on many factors including the species, location, time of year, how the organism is harvested and how the harvest is regulated. A species that is considered sustainable may become unsustainable over time, or vice versa.
Like we said: It鈥檚 complicated.
But Collins offers these general guidelines:
- Buy local. You鈥檒l support your local fishing industry and create a smaller carbon footprint because the seafood won鈥檛 have to be transported as far. Plus, it will be fresher and likely taste better.
- Buy American. Even if you鈥檙e buying seafood from outside of Florida, select seafood from within the U.S. when possible. At supermarkets, look for the country of origin label on the package. 鈥淚n the United States, our seafood is highly regulated and well managed,鈥� Collins says. These regulations help to prevent overharvesting of vulnerable fish.
- Think outside the box. 鈥淭here are so many more species that are aquacultured besides salmon,鈥� Collins says. 鈥淧eople always think about salmon, but there are other farmed fishes that are very valuable to our economy and are produced in a sustainable way.鈥� Her top picks include aquacultured clams and oysters, mullet and mahi, which reproduces quickly.
- Avoid big predators. These include shark, swordfish, marlin and other animals that are high on the food chain
- Be an advocate. At your favorite seafood counter or restaurant, ask about the seafood鈥檚 origins. If enough people request more sustainable options, they may become available.
Helpful resources:
Labels to look for:
- (formerly Global Aquaculture Alliance)
In a conversation with The Zest Podcast from WUSF in Tampa, Collins explains why there are no hard-and-fast rules for determining which seafood is sustainable. She also offers advice for fishermen and women, provides suggestions for cooking so-called trash fish and reminisces about growing up around the fishing communities of Manatee County. For additional information, read Collins鈥檚 about seafood sustainability.
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