Why Is Eating Bluefin Tuna Bad?
Bluefin tuna is a very popular fish and is often sold in sashimi or seared in sushi restaurants. It can cost you up to $20 for a single piece and it’s incredibly delicious!
Eating tuna is a healthy, low-calorie way to boost your intake of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also a good source of B vitamins and calcium. However, it can contain high levels of mercury and should be avoided by pregnant women or those who are planning a pregnancy.
* Overfishing
While some NGOs are claiming that bluefin tuna stocks are “doomed” due to overfishing, the reality is that many commercial fishermen and industry groups are in favor of science-based fishery and seafood marketing policies. This includes managing catch quotas and not just jumping to doomsday scenarios in the name of conservation.
* Failed Recoveries
As fishers recover from decades of overfishing, they’re not able to catch as many as they used to. This is why the market is not as hot right now for bluefin tuna as it once was.
This is a big reason why fishers in the Mediterranean have to sell their catch for much more than they would like to. This is because they’re allowed to catch only so much of the fish, and the more they are caught, the more expensive it becomes.
* Overfishing of Southern and Atlantic Bluefins
Both subspecies of bluefin tuna have been overfished to the point that they’re now critically endangered. This is a huge problem because they’re known for their delicious taste.
They’re found in a lot of high-end sushi restaurants and can be quite expensive. Some restaurants will even pay million of dollars for a single bluefin tuna!
The problem is that bluefin tuna are so strong and endothermic that they can cook themselves when caught on a fishing line. This can make their meat incredibly expensive because they get spoiled.
* Overfishing in the Gulf and Mediterranean
This is a serious problem because bluefin tuna are found in the Gulf and Mediterranean and they spawn in these waters. The BP oil spill two years ago has devastated these areas and the tuna population is decreasing.
If you want to support this endangered species, you can help by avoiding tuna sashimi or by buying local salmon that is sustainably caught in Alaska and similar prices. These are also a healthier choice than tuna because they are lower in contaminants and are high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
* In the past, people have been willing to pay for tuna sashimi because of its healthy benefits. But today, because of overfishing and the toxicity of mercury in tuna, people are more wary of eating it as part of their diet.
The best way to combat these concerns is to educate yourself about the dietary risks and limitations of tuna. This way, you can make informed decisions about how often you eat it. Then you’ll know that your consumption of this delicious fish is doing as much good for the planet as it is doing for your body!