Toxic Free NC Tip of the Week: Toxic-Free Fish

Toxic Free Fishes

January, 06, 2009 , by Billie Karel

There’s been some freaky advisories about the chemicals in fish farmed using practices that cause a build up of toxics, or fished from contaminated waters. The sad thing is that a lot of people are either ignoring the warnings (“eh, it won’t hurt me,” but actually, um, it could), or avoiding fish, which is a shame because fish has all kinds of high quality protein and “good fats” that are so good for you.

Last year, I started eating fish again after 8 years of vegetarianism in the hopes of improving my health now that the end of my youthful invincibility is nigh. I am enjoying this delicious food so much, and I really do feel better, but boy, picking and preparing fish is complicated! But, I’m not going to give up, and neither should you! Don’t ignore warnings of mercury, PCBs and other toxic junk in fish - get informed.

I’ve been carrying around this great pocket guide from Environmental Defense Fund that designates the best and worst seafood choices, based not only on their levels of toxic contaminants, but also on the relative sustainability and humane-ness of their farming or fishing practices. In other words, fishes get kicked off the “best choices” list if they’re often contaminated with toxic chemicals OR if the fisher folk are over-fishing a certain area, ruining a vulnerable ecosystem, or polluting, OR if they’re catching a stupid amount of other unintended fish along with their intended catch (kinda like the whole dolphin safe tuna thing, remember that?).
They have a version of the list for sushi, too!

Enjoy your toxic-free fishies in the New Year, y’all, and remember to send me your requests for next week’s Toxic Free NC Tip of the Week!

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