Atlantic cod, halibut and salmon. All three pair nicely with a lemon-butter sauce, a side of pomme purée and a glass of white wine. Yet no matter the preparation, a fresh catch from New England’s coastal waters is always enjoyable — and perhaps a bit too much. These seafood staples are now on the U.S. government’s list of depleting fish stocks.
On a global scale, advocates say depleting fish stocks are the most urgent threat to oceans and immediate change is needed. In some waters, consumer demand for certain seafood is to blame for the smaller stocks; in other areas, environmental issues are harming marine life. Either way, it’s a complicated problem to solve because it involves a whole host of nations, organizations and research institutes.
