Using FishPhone to Find Eco-friendly Seafood

Green Fish Choices and Health Advisory Information Via Cell Phone

Jan 24, 2009 Dawn M. Smith

FishPhone provides a simple way to ensure the fish one buys is harvested from environmentally sound, sustainable sources.Information on mercury levels is also given.

It is easy to become confused and frustrated when trying to eat healthy and still protect endangered species and their environment, particularly when it comes to fish. Seafood is promoted as healthy food, low in fat but high in essential fatty acids. But many species of fish have been harvested unsustainably and are now endangered.

Environmental and Health Concerns Surround Fish Consumption

The first census of marine life only began in 2000, making it highly likely that new information about various fish populations will continue to come in, resulting in constantly changing views of which fish should be consumed.

Then there are the fish farms. Some are environmentally sound while others are not. With all these issues to consider it is difficult for the average person to keep track of what species of fish from what area should be eaten. Added to this is the personal health concern with levels of mercury contamination in various fish species.

How to Use FishPhone

FishPhone is a service provided by Blue Ocean Institute in an effort to help the average person do their share in protecting marine life. From a cell phone shoppers or diners can ask about various fish choices. By simply texting 30644, entering the word FISH and the name of the fish they would like to purchase, they will receive an assessment of the species. FishPhone also offer alternatives if the fish in question is one that is not environmentallyfriendly or is potentially unhealthy.

How Blue Ocean Institute Rates Seafood

Fish are rated using color coding, based on multiple criteria. For wild-caught fish life history, abundance and fishing methods (including bycatch and habitat damage issues) and whether there are regulations in place are considered.

For farmed fish, the evaluation includes the impacts of the farm on the local environment and native species, the use of wild-caught seafood as food source for the farmed fish and pollution from waste and farming practices.

FishPhone Rating levels

Green- abundant species fished or farmed with little environmental damage
Pale Green- medium to high abundance or fishing/farming methods cause some environmental damage
Yellow- some problems with status or catch/farming methods, or insufficient data for evaluation
Orange- abundance is low, or fishing/farming has large environmental impact
Red- combination of problems with overfishing or high bycatch levels and poor management or farming methods have high environmental impact.

Fish with high levels of mercury get a red flag in addition to the colored fish and species that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council have a blue check mark.

Blue Ocean Institute Seafood Resources Beyond Fishphone

A general seafood guide and a sushi guide can be downloaded from the Blue Ocean website. Wallet sized guides can also be ordered from the website. There is a Seafood FAQ and a video which explains how mercury gets into the Ocean environment.

FishPhone was launched in 2007 and its use is increasing steadily. Many consumers want to do the right thing for the ocean environment and for their health. This service makes those choices easier for anyone with a cell phone.

The copyright of the article Using FishPhone to Find Eco-friendly Seafood in Wildlife Preservation is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Using FishPhone to Find Eco-friendly Seafood in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Green Sushi Choices Can be Helped Using FishPhone