How To Protect the Future of Seafood – Without Giving Up Fish

More than 3 billion people rely on the ocean as a significant source of protein, and around 200 million people work in the fish and seafood industries to provide for themselves and their families. Discover how climate change could impact the food and jobs that come from the ocean, and what we can do about it.

Imagine your favourite fresh seafood meal. Maybe it’s mussels and frites in a Parisian Bistro, deep-fried cod from the local fish and chip van, or crispy calamari made by your grandmother. Now, imagine what would happen if the oceans changed so much that these tasty options were harder to find—or didn’t exist at all. This might sound like a sci-fi movie, but if governments, the fishing industry and seafood eaters are not careful, climate change could bring us closer to this reality. Let’s explore what’s happening to seafood, how it might change, and what it means for you.  

What is Climate Change Doing to Our Oceans?

Climate change is making oceans warmer and more acidic. This changing environment is putting pressure on the fish and shellfish that we eat - often in unpredictable ways. We are seeing some fish move northwards to cooler waters, increasing algae blooms, which can make seafood toxic, and some species declining while others increase their populations.

Will Your Favourite Fish Disappear?

It depends on your favourite fish. Some might disappear, and some might move, shrink in numbers or even, if you are lucky, become more abundant.¹ Fish, like cod, which thrive in cooler waters, struggle as oceans warm. For example, cod in the North Atlantic are reproducing less because of the heat.² Lobsters are moving farther north to escape rising temperatures, so places like New England are seeing changes in their lobster catch.³ Other species, like the black sea bass, are also expected to become more common in historically cooler areas as ocean temperatures rise.^4,5

While some impacts take place over time, other changes can occur very quickly. Dr. Christopher M. Free is an Assistant Researcher at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California.  He notes the unexpected collapse of the Bering Sea snow crab fishery due to a marine heatwave. The high temperatures caused starvation and - as a result - cannibalism amongst the snow crabs. “It was a sustainable fishery with no warning signs before its sudden collapse.” 

We are also witnessing an increase in species in certain regions, some of which are edible. For example, the lionfish - native to tropical waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans - is invading Mediterranean waters, with populations growing every year.⁶ The fish is not yet common in European seafood menus, but other regions that have been dealing with an invasion of lionfish - such as North America - have started incorporating it into their diet.⁷ Lionfish has a white flesh and delicate flavour and is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It can replace fish like cod and haddock in the recipes you already know.⁸

Can Aquaculture Help Us Meet Our Appetite for Fish?

As fish populations struggle, wild-caught fish might not be enough to sustain our growing fish demand.⁹ Is aquaculture - farming fish - a good alternative? Although imperfect, it’s already helping us a lot.   

While wild fish catches have stayed about the same over the past decade, fish farming has skyrocketed, and since 2012, over half the fish we eat comes from farms.¹⁰ As wild fish populations struggle, farmed fish will become even more common. 

There are some valid concerns about fish farms.¹¹ For example, two of the most common criticisms of aquaculture are the pollution caused by fish excrement - yes, that’s their poo - and how much wild fish is caught to feed farmed fish. The good news is that work is being done to make aquaculture more sustainable—like collecting fish waste to make fertiliser and developing feeds that contain more plants and fewer wild fish. While fish farming remains far from perfect, we are using less wild fish as animal feed than we did in 1970 while producing four times more farmed fish than we did back then.¹²

Overall, Dr. Christopher M. Free is optimistic that there is a future for fish, fisheries and seafood. “I think fisheries managers are really aware of the challenges, and there is a lot of drive right now to figure out how to adapt the fisheries to climate change. It's just at the forefront of all our minds. And so that leads me to be optimistic.”

If you are going to eat farmed fish - you can look out for the ASC certification for more responsible aquaculture. Read more here.

What Can We Do to Protect Our Oceans from Climate Change? 

There is hope for a healthier future for our oceans and the seafood we eat. By making thoughtful choices as seafood consumers, we can help protect wild fish populations and ensure they thrive for generations to come. 

Here are seven actions you could take to protect seafood without giving up fish:

1. Fight climate change. The future of seafood depends on how we act now. Switching to renewable energy like solar and wind, saving energy, and cutting down on activities that release lots of carbon, like driving and eating beef, can make a big difference.

2. Choose sustainable seafood. Look out for labels like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for wild fish and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) for farmed fish, which, while not perfect, are better than no sustainable label. 

Can only find certified frozen seafood? No worries. Frozen seafood is just as healthy as non-frozen seafood, and it’s often cheaper.

3. Try new seafood. As some fish move or decline, others (like the Lionfish) will take their place. You could try eating some of these new arrivals rather than what you’re used to - and you may be pleasantly surprised. 

4. Avoid eating fish from endangered species or populations. You can check out the Good Fish Guide by the Marine Conservation Society or get seasonal recommendations from Mr Goodfish about which choices are the most sustainable. 

5. Substitute fish for more sustainable plant-based alternatives, even if just once in a while; reducing your consumption of fish can also help support a healthy ocean. Nowadays, you can find plant-based alternatives for practically any recipe. But you don’t have to give it up altogether to make a difference. 

6. Support policies that protect the ocean and regulate fisheries. Politicians are more likely to act when they know that people care. If you are worried about pollution or overfishing in your home country or region, your voice matters. You could write, email, or call your local, regional or national government representatives to express your support for policies that protect the ocean.

7. Support organisations that advocate for ocean health. If you have some spare time or money, consider volunteering with a marine charity or donating to one of their projects that inspires you the most.  

As seafood eaters, we can’t save the ocean by ourselves. We will need governments and the fishing industry to get on board and help tackle the bigger threats like climate change and overfishing. But even if the future of seafood is uncertain, it’s not all bad news. By taking action now—whether it’s choosing sustainable seafood or reducing our carbon footprint—we can help protect the oceans and ensure seafood is available for years to come.