When in the pacific…
Posted by Andrew via Email at 09:40 PM, July 16, 2004
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| (C) Greenpeace/Roger Grace |
Caught a fish today. A skipjack tuna, which are relatively abundant in this part of the world (and very tasty with a little soy sauce and wasabi, we will reluctantly admit). Phil gets credit for the catch. He likes to set a line off the stern when his busy schedule permits.
Surprisingly (to me), some people are actually shocked to find out we fish on the Rainbow Warrior. But after we point out that (unlike some people) we aren't taking undersized fish, waste nothing, only target species not at risk, and (at an average of less than one fish caught per week) are not likely to overstress the stock - most people realize that we're only practicing what we preach - responsible fishing.
Larger photo
In fact, it would be pretty arrogant for us to come to this part of the world telling people there's something wrong with fishing. For the people here, "fish is life". They've always relied on fish as part of their diet, and their livelihood. (And for that matter, so did some of my ancestors.) They take their kids out fishing when they're only waist high. (Kind of like my father and grandfather did.) They don't see anything wrong with eating Skipjack or Yellow Fin or Wahoo or any number of other fish (mmmm, Wahoo, baked with lemon juice, very nice) - provided there is plenty left for their children and their children's children (wait, that sounds familiar).
Unfortunately, according to the United Nations, three quarters of the world's fisheries are in deep trouble, or at their very limit. Globally, we are clearly taking too many fish too fast. So unless you live here, in one of the world's last healthy fisheries, it is still a good idea for you to be careful about what fish they buy [see the comments below for some helpful links].
Even here, some fish stocks are already under a lot of pressure. Pacific Islanders are going to have to make some tough choices in the near future. If we are going to help, it's important that they know we are not so different - that when they talk, we listen and can understand, which is one reason I posted a story about us fishing. It's not the real reason we're fishing, of course. The real reason we're fishing is because we (vegetarians excepted) want fresh fish for dinner.
-- Andrew
