Dawn Sarin has sent me this excellent long read of hers: https://online.ucpress.edu/gastronomica/article/22/4/20/194513/Pirogues-to-Paradise. Read it for this reason she cites:"the next time you read about an influx of immigrants from West Africa and wonder why so many people are leaving their communities, their friends, and their families, taking ill-equipped pirogues over choppy seas, willing to come face to face with dehydration, despair, and a watery grave, you might want to consider what is on your own plate. If your meal consists of West African fish, or farmed fish fed on fish meal from West African coasts, you may be part of the present problem."
In the UK we have a great company called Fish4Ever (terrible name) that aren't much more expensive than the big brands but focus on sustainable and line caught tinned fish. Their tuna and anchovies are excellent, not tried their sardines yet. They also work with small boats and fishing communities to create a sustainable employment future in addition to healthy fish stocks. Soil Association certified, etc. Check them out, I know they're sold through Waitrose and Ocado, I assume also through the big supermarkets but I live in London so don't have access to any...
Thank you for penning this article. My husband and I became concerned a year ago or so ago about farmed fish. We are in the US, the DC suburbs, & are able to buy wild-caught salmon & haddock at Whole Foods.
I'm glad you've found local sources for wild or line-caught fish. It''s not too easy in DC. Dawn Sarin's piece posted below gives another result of the way we're abusing the seas, even more disturbing than the plight of the fish - the displacement of fishing societies.
Dawn Sarin has sent me this excellent long read of hers: https://online.ucpress.edu/gastronomica/article/22/4/20/194513/Pirogues-to-Paradise. Read it for this reason she cites:"the next time you read about an influx of immigrants from West Africa and wonder why so many people are leaving their communities, their friends, and their families, taking ill-equipped pirogues over choppy seas, willing to come face to face with dehydration, despair, and a watery grave, you might want to consider what is on your own plate. If your meal consists of West African fish, or farmed fish fed on fish meal from West African coasts, you may be part of the present problem."
Have you seen this, from the Grauniad?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/14/its-a-poor-product-leading-uk-chefs-join-campaign-to-cast-farmed-salmon-off-menu
I have! And posted the link. Thank you for thinking of Tabled!
In the UK we have a great company called Fish4Ever (terrible name) that aren't much more expensive than the big brands but focus on sustainable and line caught tinned fish. Their tuna and anchovies are excellent, not tried their sardines yet. They also work with small boats and fishing communities to create a sustainable employment future in addition to healthy fish stocks. Soil Association certified, etc. Check them out, I know they're sold through Waitrose and Ocado, I assume also through the big supermarkets but I live in London so don't have access to any...
I've not heard of them, so thank you! Definitely worth looking out for. And Thank You for supporting Tabled.
Also very pleased to see you FINALLY offer paid subscriptions! Have been waiting for the chance to support your work.
Thank you for penning this article. My husband and I became concerned a year ago or so ago about farmed fish. We are in the US, the DC suburbs, & are able to buy wild-caught salmon & haddock at Whole Foods.
I'm glad you've found local sources for wild or line-caught fish. It''s not too easy in DC. Dawn Sarin's piece posted below gives another result of the way we're abusing the seas, even more disturbing than the plight of the fish - the displacement of fishing societies.
Another side to the story of the fish we're marketed. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/13/fish-caught-processed-uyghur-forced-labor?utm_term=6529b6ef9dc0cf1bf7ad25b334c95c67&utm_campaign=BestOfGuardianOpinionUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=opinionus_email