The topic of wild caught vs farm raised fish has been confusing with consumers left wondering if one is really better. Their are several variables that need to be considered including sustainability, disease, nutritional value, traceability, and freshness. I'll look at each one of these individually in upcoming blogs, but let's start with sustainability.
Sustainability is really based on a simple concept: fishing and catching to meet our needs today without compromising the needs of those of future generations. Sustainability takes into consideration the method of fishing, as well as long-term health consequences of the livelihoods of those that depend upon the very environment that they are fishing, as well as the environment. This means that there is a need for strong regulations to ensure that both methods - wild caught and farm raised - contribute to the overall health of the oceans, as well as the industry. If we overfish, then those species will not be allowed adequate time to replenish. The oceans and the fishermen are now both jeopardized as there will be limited populations available to fish.
As a consumer, your best bet is to demand that you know where and how the fish you are purchasing was caught. That means that labeling must be clear. If harvested in the US, and sold from a reputable purveyor, then it must meet the sustainability standards set forth by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This Act was established in 1976, with amendments as recent as 2006, to provide a framework from which fishery managers identify the kind, amount, where, when, and how a species is to be caught. The NOAA Fisheries of Law Enforcement takes on this responsibility through the US Coast Guard ensuring sustainability.
So, to answer your question? Wild caught seafood isn't necessarily better than farm raised despite the media's efforts to convince you otherwise. The reality is that about half of all seafood that you see in the stores is farm raised. And farm raised practices run the gamut from environmentally awful to down right restorative. If you like the taste of farm raised fish, demand that they are not adding unnecessary colorants to the flesh for aesthetic purposes, or using antibiotics. Whole Foods does a nice job of labeling; check it out next time you are near one.
Next time we'll address the nutritional benefits of fish.