Sustain-Table Fare
How technology is bringing Omaha and our oceans closer together
by Kent Cisar
T
he dynamics of our food consumption are changing faster
than ever. Economic, environmental, technological and
social factors contribute to what we choose to eat. Sustainable
seafood is at the forefront of these changes. By making educated
choices about our seafood consumption in Omaha and surrounding
communities, we can positively impact our health, economy
and oceans. To understand sustainable seafood, it’s important to
understand several aspects of the movement: those that monitor it,
produce it, distribute it, and finally those who consume it.
“Fish and shellfish farms are
popping up all over the country
– including here in Nebraska.”
Our first task is to define sustainable seafood. The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), defines
sustainability as “based on a simple principle — meeting today’s
needs without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their needs. In terms of seafood, this means catching or
farming seafood responsibly, with consideration for the long-term
health of the environment and the livelihoods of the people that
depend upon the environment.”
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The NOAA has an “eco label” system similar to USDA label
for beef. When you find seafood packages or products marked
with that label, it means NOAA inspected the farm or fishery and
deemed the process to meet its strict standards on quality, regulation
and environmental impact. The Marine Stewardship Council
(MSC) is a global organization that promotes sustainable seafood
through fisheries outreach (both commercial and recreational),
standardization of consumption and consumer awareness. The MSC
also has resources for fishermen, retailers and restaurateurs, and
consumers to make educated decisions on a micro scale.
Most consumers think of seafood production coming from
traditional areas that have direct access to saltwater. In an ever
changing economy though, fish and shellfish farms are popping up
all over the country – including here in Nebraska. Cardinal Farms
has been a family-owned farm in the South Sioux City, Nebraska
area since 1968. After years of research, they began their own
seafood farming operation in 2013. Seafood offers farmers several
advantages that aren’t attainable through other methods of farming.
“Our system is an indoor, closed system that’s not exposed to
other weather and climate elements that are beyond our control,”
says Scott Garwood