Saturday, November 6, 2010

Not Quite the Chicken of the Sea

Did you know that some species of tuna can weigh over 1,000 pounds? They are also fast swimmers, reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour! Tuna are also over-fished and some species may die out if we continue to exploit them (especially the blue fin tuna). Did you know that humans have been consuming canned tuna for over 100 years? Commercial fishing has dramatically reduced populations and we need to act now if we want to prevent this species from going extinct. Japan is the largest consumer of tuna and has been accused of harvesting more tuna than is legally allowed. Over-fishing is bad for the entire ecosystem. Pollution is also a problem. Tuna can contain high levels of mercury, which is not safe to eat. Pregnant women are advised not to eat tuna and other predatory fish for this reason. It is important that we make sure the food we are eating is safe and sustainable. The next time you want a tuna fish sandwich, consider PB&J instead.

-Rachel Wright

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