Of shrimps - economics and ecology

Here's an interesting article for you, tallying answers to the question - why shrimp consumption has been on the increase. The blog author wanted to some degree test the theory that answers would vary depending on whether the respondent is an economist, or not, and thus focus refer to changes in "supply", or "demand" respectively. Given the responses, the hypothesis faired only so-so, and part of the answer probably is attributable to the decreasing price of shrimp.

Now I say this is all fine and dandy from an economics point of view -- but, and this is where those who know me will start laughing as they've heard this probably far too many times (!), no shrimp story is complete without telling you that eating farmed or non-trap caught shrimp is bad bad bad bad bad bad news!!!!!! ... and should you *ever* sit at a dinner table with me eating those, I will give you a very hard time!...so much so that you'll probably feel guilty next time you eat them, and wind up enver eating them again!

SO why is eating shrimp such a bad idea - I'll try to keep it simple:

1. Most shrimp tend to be caught using trawling gear - this not only destroys the seafloor (the refuge place of many a fish, think cutting down trees in a forest) but also leads to all sorts of other non-targeted species being caught in the nets. Shrimp trawling is renowned for having the highest incident of bycatch (those species you weren't trying to catch). The usual statistic is that for every pound of shrimp you catch, you'll end up with 4 pounds of 'unwanted' juvenile fish and other marine life in your hands... and ocne the shrimp have been sorted out that bycatch usually just gets chucked over board.
   
2. OK OK - so you turn to me and say but I only eat farmed shrimp, so I am all good.... well think again:
   
1. A lot of imported shrimp come from farms that were set up in mangrove habitats. This means, more often than not the mangrove trees themselves had to be cut down to make space for the farm to be established - now mangroves are very important and productive systems. Why so? Here are but a few of the services they render: they protect coastlines from erosion (even potentially protecting communities from dangers such as the impact of tsunamis), they provide important nursery habitats for juvenile fish, and they harbour a lot of species that local communities depend on for self sustenance;
2. and.... shrimp that grow in farms need to be fed... and they get fed fish meal and fish oil... and those fishes that were ground up to feed the shrimp to then feed you, would have otherwise probably ended up on someone else's plate in Thailand for example.
3. lastly, sadly, many shrimp farms are usually renowned for their rather miserable working conditions
   

Now it's relatively easy for me to say all this and abstain from shrimp - 1) because I believe firmly in what I do (being a marine ecologist and therefore by extension respecting mother nature as much as I can) but 2) also because I am allergic to these beasts! Thus, if you really have an incredibly soft spot for shrimp and can't possibly imagine your life without ever eating shrimp again, I have the answer for you!
Eat shrimp that were trap caught - such as British Columbia trap caught spot prawns.
Eating sustainable seafood is possible; depending on where you live here area couple of websites that you'll find helpful and useful

• Blue Ocean Institute
• Seachoice
• if you're in the UK check out the Marine Conservation Society's web page, they've got a slew of information re: when to buy which fish etc... for just an overview download their good fish guide

- print out their little wallet size card and keep it handy :o)

So now you have no excuse; and by eating responsibly not only will you be looking after our oceans, but you'll also be making sure you'll be eating fish (and/or shrimp) for years to come!

Now go out there and convert at least one of your friends ;o)