Tag: Marine conservation

According to a 2025 study, the global abundance of oceanic sharks and rays has declined by nearly three-quarters over the last 50 years, largely due to overfishing. Given this alarming statistic, and the inherent health dangers, a growing number of people are questioning who should not eat sharks and why.

While the ocean covers over 70% of our planet, it provides only around 2% of the world's total food calorie intake. However, this small percentage masks the vital role of aquatic foods in supplying critical nutrients, particularly high-quality protein, to billions of people worldwide.

The Mediterranean Sea is considered a biodiversity hotspot and contains approximately 7% of the total global marine fish species, an unusually high diversity for a temperate sea. The question, 'Does the Mediterranean have fish?' therefore reveals a vibrant, complex aquatic ecosystem with both abundance and considerable conservation challenges.

Shark fins are primarily cartilage, and scientific research has found they offer virtually no nutritional value. Far from being a health tonic, eating shark fin can expose consumers to dangerous levels of contaminants like mercury and the neurotoxin BMAA.

According to the UN, over 90 million tonnes of fish were caught from the ocean in 2018, contributing to severe environmental consequences. Many people are curious why do some vegans avoid fish, often mistakenly believing that veganism only excludes land animals.

In one of the most astonishing feats of the animal kingdom, a single female ocean sunfish can produce up to 300 million eggs in one spawning season. This extraordinary reproductive output makes it the record holder for the highest egg count of any fish and, indeed, any vertebrate on Earth. The vast number of eggs highlights a crucial survival strategy in the marine world, where very few offspring will ever reach maturity.

Over a third of the world's fisheries are currently harvested beyond sustainable levels, raising serious questions: is it ethical to eat wild caught fish? This complex issue involves environmental damage, marine welfare, and socio-economic considerations for fishing communities globally.

According to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, wild Alaskan salmon typically has low levels of contaminants like mercury compared to many other seafood varieties. However, this widely celebrated health food still carries some potential risks that require proper precautions. This guide explores why you should not eat wild-caught Alaskan salmon without careful handling, including the risk of parasites and ethical considerations.

According to the FDA, certain groups like pregnant women and young children should not eat shark at all due to its high mercury content. However, the health and ecological risks of consuming this apex predator mean the safest and most responsible answer to how often should you eat sharks is never.

Over 100 million sharks are killed annually by humans, yet its purported nutritional value is overshadowed by significant health risks. While sometimes marketed for lean protein and omega-3s, is shark fish good for health or is it a dangerous menu choice due to the bioaccumulation of mercury and other contaminants?