Is eating fish healthy?: The biggest myths about fish

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Myth 1: Anyone who eats farmed fish allows the fish to live in the sea.

Unfortunately, no. Because one sixth of wild fish is used as feed for farmed fish. This is the conclusion of Wädenswil-based marine conservation organization Oceancare and its Dutch partner organization, the Changing Markets Foundation, in their latest report. Rather than relieving pressure on the oceans, aquaculture exacerbates global overfishing.

Myth 2: There are many native fish on our table.

Wrong: Only six to nine percent of the fish that ends up on Swiss plates comes from Swiss waters and farms. More than 90 percent of fish and shellfish consumed in Switzerland are imported, according to Oceancare. Half of these imports come from Europe (UK, Norway, Denmark, France, Germany). The other half comes from Asia (India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand).

Myth 3: People in Switzerland eat only slightly more fish than they did 60 years ago.

The average annual fish consumption per capita in Switzerland 60 years ago was 400 grams of fish. In 2018, it was 8.72 kilograms. So consumption has increased greatly twenty times. “This relationship gets even worse if you factor in population growth,” says Oceancare.

Myth 4: Important omega-3 fatty acids are found only in fish. That’s why eating fish is very healthy.

Not true. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are also found in algae preparations, chia seeds, flaxseed oil, tree nuts or mushrooms. When it comes to fish, it should be noted that edible fish, especially large predatory fish (e.g. tuna), may contain contaminants such as heavy metals in their fatty tissue. Farmed fish may also contain harmful substances from their food.

Myth 5: “Certified” fish do not harm anyone.

According to a study in the journal “Marine Policy”, there are no fishing labels today that represent careful fishing or fair trade. However, it is still better to buy certified fish than to buy uncertified fish. “The most sustainable way is to avoid marine fish altogether,” writes Oceancare.

What can you do?

Of course, avoiding fish is best for the oceans, but you can use these tips to ensure careful use:

• Buy local, wild caught fish
• Avoid marine fish or only eat them once a month (sustainably wild caught)
• Buy fish with a quality label
• Avoid krill, seal and fish oils

Source : Blick