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The FishChoice Current
Kids & Seafood
A recent report by the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights how little seafood American children eat in comparison to other sources of animal protein, along with the potentials risks ad benefits of childhood consumption of fish and shellfish. Childhood seafood consumption levels have been declining since 2007 with evidence suggesting federal mercury advisories on fish consumption may have prompted this decrease. Though seafood may be sources of toxicants, there are several nutritional and potential health benefits for children such as:
  • Compared to other animal protein (e.g. beef, pork, or chicken), seafood items have a favorable nutrient profile and are a good source of protein as well as essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins (e.g. omega-3, calcium, and vitamin D)
  • Childhood fish consumption has been tied to prevention of allergic disease
  • Some fish are a source of n-3 LCPUFAs which are associated with neurons in the brain and eyes and have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties
  • For certain disorders such as sickle cell disease, fish oil supplements intake by children may decrease the instances of pain episodes
The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that promoting greater consumption of fish may put additional pressure on fisheries and promote unsustainable practices. The report does note that because the US has some of the best-managed fisheries and fish farms, a good first step in buying sustainable seafood products are identifying ones that are American in origin.

FishChoice Affiliate, Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP), has started the Little Seafoodies campaign which presents the benefits of seafood and omega-3s for children. SNP has also developed some tips and tricks for parents on encouraging their children to eat more seafood and started a blog where parents give advice on getting children to eat seafood. You can learn more about Little Seafoodies by visiting the following SNP page.

Recently, SNP completed a successful Little Seafoodies Digital Pilot Campaign in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 8-week pilot saw a 2.4% sales increase in seafood over a promotional period during Lent as a result of advanced digital targeting technologies and messaging. The organization is looking to start a nationwide digital campaign geared towards moms with young children and is looking for input on how to proceed with this expanded initiative. To gather feedback, SNP has created a Pre-Campaign Study Survey.

You can share you thoughts on the survey here. To learn more about plans for this national campaign, you can view the information statement here.
Seafood Spotlight: Silver Hake
Seafood Spotlight: Silver Hake

Silver hake, a.k.a. "whiting," is one of several similar hake and whiting species that inhabit cold and temperate waters on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Most species are identified by their geographic origin and quality among species varies significantly. Similar to cod and haddock, silver hake has a softer flesh and less flakes. Among hake and whiting species, silver hake has one of the firmer meats.  Raw flesh should appear a translucent white with a watery appearance and when cooked, coloration ranges from pure white to off-white. Peak season for fresh silver hake is summer and fall. Freshness of the fish can be determined by the durability of the fillet. Avoid purchasing fillets that have a dull, brown, or dry appearance. Because it spoils quickly, silver hake is often used for frozen, value-added seafood products, and properly handled fresh silver hake has a shelf-life of up to five days. The flavorful fish has a high degree of culinary versatility at a noticeably lower price point than its Atlantic cod and haddock counterparts. 

Based on average global landings of silver hake from 2016-17 and using the most recent Seafood Watch ratings as of July, 2019, the sustainability breakdown of silver hake is as follows:

  • ~45% of global landings of silver hake meet a Seafood Watch "Good Alternative (yellow)" rating (~99% of U.S. landings)
  • U.S. production of silver hake includes ~50% from Massachusetts, ~30% from Rhode Island, and ~10% from New York
  • ~55% of global landings of silver hake are unrated (100% of Canadian landings)
  • Global landings of silver hake in 2017 saw a decrease of ~10% compared to 2016 and ~20% compared to 2014
Get more details on sourcing, selling, and sustainability with our silver hake seafood guide.  
Day Boat Seafood LLC - Lake Park, Florida
Day Boat Seafood LLC

Day Boat Seafood LLC is the owner of the largest US longline swordfish fleet. Supporting the US East Coast swordfish fleet and fishing community since 2006, Day Boat Seafood LLC is committed to providing sustainable and responsibly-sourced swordfish and tuna products from its dedicated fishermen to both US and international markets. Day Boat Seafood is proud of the MSC certification for its pelagic swordfish fishery as it was the first company to attain certification for a pelagic fishery. Day Boat is also involved with traceability efforts. Tags with barcoded catch information are attached to each fish to assure complete traceability from ocean to market. Read more...
Dayton Valley Aquaponics - Dayton, Nevada

Dayton Valley Aquaponics produces premium quality vegetables and seafood in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The company's recirculating aquaponic system allows for growing vegetables, including peppers and tomatoes, along with tilapia. The vegetables and tilapia are available to customers year-round. Dayton Valley Aquaponics is committed, through innovative agricultural methods, to minimizing their environmental impact while creating sustained equity for all stakeholders. By incorporating renewable energy methods such as biofuels & PV solar, the company has limited its dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, the aquaponic system consumes 90% less water annually than field vegetable growers. Read more...
Sustainable Seafood News of the Week
America's Got Scallops: Catch Is Up, Consumers Shelling Out
(WBUR, 7/21/2019)

Innovation Fund Announced for UK Fishing Industry
(New Food Magazine, 7/22/2019)

US Groundfish Fishery Returning to Its Former Glory, Stakeholders Say
(SeafoodSource, 7/22/2019)

South Pacific Islanders Threatened by Climate Change and Overfishing
(Eco-Business, 7/23/2019)

Sharks Have Few Place to Hide From Fishing, Study Shows
(NPR, 7/24/2019)

Canada Ratifies Port State Agreement to Combat IUU
(Undercurrent News, 7/24/2019)

The Ugly War Over the 'Cocaine of the Sea"
(The Daily Beast, 7/22/2019)

Caribbean States Prepare to Battle Illegal Fishing
(Caribbean News Now, 7/22/2019)

'All We Need Is Sun and Sea': England's First Commercial Seaweed Farm to Open
(Positive.News, 7/19/2019)

Eat Oysters in New York City to Help Clean Up the City's Waterways
(Fortune, 7/20/2019)

Prawn Aquaculture Could Provide Income –  While Stopping Disease-Spreading Snails
(New Atlas, 7/23/2019)

Wasted
(Hakai Magazine, 7/23/2019)

A Seafood Company Pleaded Guilty to Passing Off 183 Tons of Foreign Crab Meat as American Blue Crab
(CNN, 7/23/2019)

Artificial Intelligence Makes Waves in Seafood Traceability
(GreenBiz, 7/24/2019)

How Plastic-Industry Pollution Threatens Gulf Seafood [Opinion]
(Houston Chronicle, 7/24/2019)
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FishChoice, Inc. (FCI) is a registered 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit founded in 2008 that envisions a thriving and sustainable global seafood industry. FishChoice is dedicated to helping businesses advance their seafood sustainability efforts on their own by offering solutions that accelerate sustainability in the global seafood industry. FishChoice currently operates the flagship FishChoice platform (established 2009) and FisheryProgress platform (established 2016). 
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