// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var SeafoodWatchList = new Array(); SeafoodWatchList.ID = "SeafoodWatchList"; SeafoodWatchList.ID_WB = 7876840; SeafoodWatchList.sPubDate = "6/27/2005 8:17:41 PM GMT"; SeafoodWatchList.navsectionID = "3032492" SeafoodWatchList.appFmt = 2; SeafoodWatchList.itemsPerPage = 1; SeafoodWatchList.appWidth = 624; SeafoodWatchList.appHeader = "FACT FILE|Watch that seafood"; SeafoodWatchList.appDeck = "Seafood Watch, a guide by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and partners, lists fish in terms of abundance or scarcity. Click on a species for details."; SeafoodWatchList.appFooter = "Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium"; SeafoodWatchList.appNavStyle = 3; SeafoodWatchList.nLinkCols = "sub"; SeafoodWatchList.appLayout = 1; SeafoodWatchList.copyHeight = 200; SeafoodWatchList.copyMargin = 9; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Best Choice","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Wild Alaska salmon","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. Canned salmon is wild Alaska salmon, so it's also a Best Choice. Stick with Alaskan over other wild salmon, which are facing problems."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed catfish","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Channel catfish are the type most often farm-raised in the U.S. Catfish can eat soybean and wheat pellets, reducing the demand on ocean fish used in fish feed. Using closed freshwater ponds, catfish farmers can control water quality."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed caviar and sturgeon","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Wild sturgeon are extremely endangered but farmed surgeon, and their caviar, are eco-friendly alternatives because farming methods don’t pollute local water."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed clams, oysters, mussels","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Shellfish farms cause little impact on the environment because shellfish filter their food right out of the sea water, requiring no use of feed. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Crab: Dungeness, stone, Canadian snow","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Dungeness are protected by regulations on the U.S. West Coast: fishermen may keep only mature male crabs and must release all females.

Canada’s Atlantic snow crab fishery is also well-managed and the population is stable.

The stone crab fishery is also considered sustainable. Florida lands 98 percent of U.S. production. These crabs regenerate their claws, so crabbers remove only one claw from each crab, and the animal is released alive. Adult stone crabs can regenerate their claws three or four times.

Crabs are caught in traps, a method considered eco-friendly because fishermen can release undersized crabs and other \"bycatch\" unharmed."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Lobster: Australian rock, Calif. spiny","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
For rock lobster, some populations are overfished and so only Australian catch was advised. That fishery is certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council.

For spiny lobster, California’s small and well-regulated fishery makes it a Best Choice."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Pacific halibut","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Most fishing takes place in Alaska and Canada. Managers cooperate across the border to manage this fishery for long-term sustainability.

Halibut fisherman use lines called \"skates\" that rest on the sea floor. This method of bottom longlining takes very little bycatch. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed rainbow trout","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
U.S. trout farms are regulated and monitored by the EPA and state water quality departments. Though there has been concern that farmed trout could spread disease to wild trout populations, research shows that disease outbreaks and their effect on wild populations are minimal.

Although trout are carnivorous fish, they are efficient at converting their feed into edible protein. To reduce their impact on wild fisheries, trout farmers are reducing the amount of fishmeal in trout feed."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Sardines","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
These type of herring go through a natural \"boom and bust\" cycle. They've made a comeback on both coasts in recent years."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Shrimp: U.S. trap-caught","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Catching shrimp with traps is more sustainable than trawled or farm-raised shrimp. Avoid imported shrimp, which are caught with the latter techniques."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed striped bass","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Farmed striped bass is actually a hybrid between wild striped bass and white bass.

Most farms are located inland, so ocean pollution from discharge of wastewater is not a factor. Neither is disease or genetic risk to wild populations, since there are no wild hybrid striped bass. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed tilapia","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
In the U.S., most tilapia are farmed in inland recirculating systems that have little impact on the environment.
Tilapia thrive on inexpensive vegetable-based foods, making them a good source of eco-friendly protein."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Tuna: Pole/troll caught albacore, yellowfin, bigeye","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Populations remain abundant, but some methods used to catch them have problems. Longlines and purse seines, even when \"dolphin-safe\", take a heavy bycatch of unwanted marine life.

When buying tuna, ask for troll-caught or pole-caught since they take little bycatch."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Caution","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Wild clams, oysters, mussels","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Pollution of nearshore waters and habitat destruction have made wild shellfish scarce in some areas. In addition, dredge-harvesting of shellfish can damage seafloor habitat."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Crab: Blue, imitation, Alaskan king, U.S. snow","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Many blue crab populations have been on the decline, due to habitat loss caused by pollution and coastal development. In the Gulf of Mexico, shrimp trawlers take juvenile crabs as bycatch before they have the chance to mature and reproduce.

Imitation crab is made from pollock, which is abundant, but some scientists worry that extensive fishing is taking a toll on the endangered Steller sea lion, a pollock predator.

Alaska’s king crab fisheries are well-managed, but the abundance of king crab is unknown.

Alaska's snow crab began to decline in 1999 and have not yet recovered, but the fishery is well-managed and working to reverse the fall. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Lobster: American/Maine","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Although heavy fishing has prompted the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service to list American lobster as overfished, the population seems to be holding steady thanks to careful management and ongoing research."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Mahi-mahi","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Also known as dolphinfish, it grows and matures quickly, so it can probably withstand concentrated fishing pressure. But this fish has never had a scientific stock assessment.

Mahi-mahi is often caught on longlines, a method that can have problems with bycatch. Troll-caught mahi-mahi is more eco-friendly."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Pacific cod","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
These are not overfished, and managers believe current harvest levels are sustainable."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Pacific red snapper (Alaska, Canada)","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
In Alaska and British Columbia, these are generally caught using hook-and-line or bottom longline methods that have little impact on the seafloor. In addition, populations are stable and well-managed."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Pacific sole","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Dover, English , Petrale and Rex sole are a few of the flatfish sold simply as \"sole\". These species all live in the Pacific ocean where populations are generally healthy, but the method of catch, called bottom trawling, impacts the seafloor habitat."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Pollock","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Though populations are near an all-time high, some scientists worry that extensive fishing is taking a toll on the endangered Steller sea lion, a pollock predator."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Scallops","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Scallop dredging can damage the seafloor. Where available, farmed scallops or scallops caught by professional divers are better alternatives.

Most bay scallops sold in the U.S. are farm-raised in China, which provides little data about environmental impacts of this industry."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Thresher shark (West Coast)","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "This species is abundant and faster-breeding than most sharks. The West Coast fishery is well-managed, although there are still concerns that some die accidentally by trawlers looking for other fish."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Shrimp: U.S. farmed or trawl caught","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Efforts are improving in the U.S. to reduce environmental impacts from shrimp farms and to reduce bycatch of other marine life from trawling nets."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Squid","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Squid fisheries on the high seas are problematic because regulations either do not exist or are rarely enforced and squid abundance is largely unknown. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Summer flounder","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Regulations for this fish, also known as fluke flounder, appear to be effective, but populations need time to reach healthy levels.
"; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Swordfish (West Coast)","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "Pacific swordfish populations appear to be more stable than relatives elsewhere around the globe."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Tuna: Canned, longline or purse-seine caught","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Albacore is used primarily for canning and while most stocks are healthy the North Atlantic is considered overfished.

Use of long fishing lines and wide nets has led to significant bycatch of other marine life.
"; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Avoid","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Atlantic cod","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Cod reproduce prolifically, and so should be able to sustain heavy fishing, but long-term overfishing and destruction of their seafloor habitat by bottom trawlers have sent Atlantic cod into drastic declines."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Atlantic flounder, halibut","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
They have faced heavy fishing over the last 30 years and many have been depleted to very low levels, particularly Atlantic halibut and some yellowtail flounder. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Atlantic sole","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "Populations have experienced heavy fishing pressure over the last 30 years and many have been depleted to very low levels, particularly Atlantic halibut and some stocks of yellowtail flounder."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Bluefin tuna","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "Atlantic and Southern bluefin are severely overfished, and data is lacking on the Pacific Northern bluefin."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Wild caviar and sturgeon","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Three Caspian Sea sturgeon are valued for their caviar, or fish eggs, but the populations are close to collapse due to overfishing and pollution."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Chilean seabass ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Also known as toothfish, this Antarctic waters fish is being quickly depleted by pirate fishing vessels. In addition, they are caught via bottom trawling or longlines -- two destructive methods."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Grouper","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
The several species of grouper caught in the U.S. are considered to be either \"vulnerable\" or \"critically endangered\" by the World Conservation Union. "; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Imported king crab","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
More than 90 percent of king crab on U.S. markets is imported from Russia, where management laws are poorly enforced."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Monkfish","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Populations have become overfished off the U.S. Atlantic coast. They are usually caught using bottom trawls, a method that can damage seafloor habitat."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Orange roughy","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Years of heavy harvest on the spawning grounds have decimated populations. The fish are often caught by bottom trawling, which can destroy habitat."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Pacific snapper (West Coast)","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Also known as Rock Cod, these fish are market names for 70 species of rockfish. Emergency rules are in place to restore overfished stocks in California, Oregon and Washington."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Red snapper","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "Populations are declining because these fish are in high demand and are generally caught faster than they can reproduce."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Farmed salmon ","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Most salmon sold at market are raised in net pens, where fish waste is released into the water and can spread disease and parasites to wild salmon.

Progress is being made to reduce waste, but not as fast as the industry is growing: about 400 percent in a decade.

In the market, there is currently no way to tell which salmon are coming from more sustainable farms."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Shark","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Most sharks can’t reproduce quickly enough to keep up with demand for their meat and fins, the latter used in Asia with soup.

Many sharks are slain just for their fins, which are sometimes stripped off while the animal is still alive."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Imported shrimp","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Most farmed shrimp comes from Asia, where clearing of land for pens has damaged habitat.

Wild shrimp are usually caught in trawl nets. Tropical shrimp trawling has the highest bycatch of any commercial fishery: 3 to 15 pounds of unwanted animals are caught and discarded per pound of shrimp landed. Endangered sea turtles are also caught and killed in shrimp nets."; SeafoodWatchList[i++] = new Array("","Swordfish (Atlantic/International)","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); SeafoodWatchList[i-1].body = "
Though populations are recovering, swordfish in the Atlantic is considered overfished.

In addition, swordfish are caught using very long fishing lines which often catch endangered sea turtles, birds and other marine life by accident."; // END editorial data