We Must Use Our Minds, Not Our Appetites

    In Greenberg's TED Talk, he informs us that the way we fish shrimp, tuna, salmon and "white fish" is threatening our oceans. Since these four fish are the most popular, they are severely overfished and unsustainable. Shrimp is fuel inefficient to bring to the market and there is a mangrove deficit in raising them. Tuna is a global fish, which means we have to manage areas in our oceans globally. We cannot grow tuna because they are warm blooded and can swim up to 40 mph. These factors eliminate the advantages of farming fish. For salmon, the main issue is that there are too many dams across the nation. This is problematic because it stops salmon from reaching their spawning grounds. The last, or category of fish, Greenberg spoke about was "white fish." This fish started as the halibut, then cod, and now Alaska pollack.  The Alaska pollack was the largest fin fish fishery in the United States, taking in "2-3 billion pounds out of the sea every single year." These white fish lack the oily fish profile that appeals to human beings. 

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    While it is clear that we need to stop fishing these four types of fish specially, Greenberg suggests a few alternatives that will benefit the world and people. He explains that muscles are fuel efficient, using a 30th of the carbon required to bring beef to the market. Mussels require no forage fish, contain the omega 3s from micro algae, and do immense amounts of water filtration. Seaweed also filters water and can be used to feed cows. In addition, if we grow seaweed, we wouldn't have to water it. Greenberg suggests one last fish, but it is unknown. He goes on to say that this fish would have to be vegetarian, fast growing, adaptable and and have an oily fish profile. These would be the key attributes of an ideal aquaculture fish. 

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    Throughout Greenbergs presentation, he seemed very optimistic about our ability to practice sustainable aquaculture. Due to the fact that our appetites are way too large, he makes it known that it will be difficult to make such drastic adjustments. He makes it clear that our minds must be put to use, rather than our stomachs. Giving credit to the progress we have made in the past, he is quite positive about the effects our eating behavior will have in restoring the oceans if we listen to him now.