Why do you use farmed fish?

Over half of the fish consumed globally is raised by aquaculture, or fish farms. Since seafood is such a popular protein option worldwide, the oceans and certain species of fish have been overfished (almost to the point of extinction in the case of some fish). And while wild fish may seem like a cleaner, more natural choice, they are often the cause behind the production of a large volume of greenhouse gases. In order to source wild fish, one must send a fishing boat out into the ocean, have it run while the fish are caught, send the fish back to shore, then drive the fish to the packaging facility before they’re driven or flown to your local grocery store. This results in a large carbon footprint that’s really not environmentally friendly. Meanwhile, fish farms are able to catch, clean and package the fish all in one facility, which results in a much smaller carbon footprint. While it’s true that some fish farms have unsustainable, environmentally unfriendly practices, there are increasingly more and more companies farming fish in ways that not only produce a great product but also ensure that the environment isn’t harmed during the farming process. In fact, due to the environmental efforts of some seafood companies, both the natural world and the communities around them actually benefit from their existence. Not all farms are created equal, so it is important to source from companies that have certifications such as BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) to be assured that you are buying a high quality and sustainable product.