The biggest myths about fish

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Myth 1: If you eat farmed fish, you are allowing the fish to live in the sea.

Unfortunately, no. Because one out of every six wild fish is fed to farmed fish. This is the conclusion reached in recent reports by the Wädenswil marine conservation organization Oceancare and its Dutch partner, the Changing Markets Foundation. Aquaculture is fueling global overfishing rather than easing the burden on the oceans.

Myth 2: Too many local fish on the table.

Wrong: Only six to nine percent of the fish that arrives on Swiss plates comes from Swiss waters and farms. According to Oceancare, more than 90 percent of the fish and crustaceans consumed in Switzerland are imported. Half of this import comes from Europe (England, Norway, Denmark, France, Germany). The other half comes from Asia (India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand).

Myth 3: Slightly more fish are eaten in Switzerland than 60 years ago.

Average annual fish consumption per capita in Switzerland was 400 grams 60 years ago. In 2018, she weighed 8.72 kilograms. So consumption is more twenty times. “If you factor in population growth, that ratio gets even sharper,” says Oceancare.

Myth 4: Important omega-3 fatty acids are found only in fish. That’s why it’s so healthy to eat fish.

This is not true. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are also found in algae preparations, chia seeds, flaxseed oil, tree nuts or mushrooms. In the case of fish, it should be noted that edible fish, especially large predatory fish (e.g. tuna), may contain contaminants such as heavy metals in their oily tissue. Raised fish may also contain harmful substances that they ingest through food.

Myth 5: “Certified” fish do no harm.

According to a study in the journal “Marine Policy”, there are currently no fishing labels that imply careful fishing or fair trade. However, it is still better to buy certified fish than non-certified ones. “But the most sustainable thing is to give up marine fish altogether,” Oceancare writes.

What can you do?

Of course, avoiding fish is best for the seas, but you can use these tips to use fish sparingly:

• buy locally caught fish
• do without sea fish or just eat once a month (from sustainable wild catch)
• Buy fish with a quality label
• avoid krill, seal and fish oils

Source : Blick