According to a recent article from Komo News,
some of Seattle’s most popular restaurants are ditching chinook (king) salmon in an effort to help save
critically endangered orcas.
some of Seattle’s most popular restaurants are ditching chinook (king) salmon in an effort to help save
critically endangered orcas.
Chinook will not be served at Vine and Spoon or
Alchemy in West Seattle. The restaurant owners joined others in taking a stand
after a concerned customer brought up the plight of the orcas and shared images
of a mother orca grieving her dead calf and another
orca struggling to survive.
Alchemy in West Seattle. The restaurant owners joined others in taking a stand
after a concerned customer brought up the plight of the orcas and shared images
of a mother orca grieving her dead calf and another
orca struggling to survive.
Matt Mead, marketing director for Vine and
Spoon, said:
Spoon, said:
The plight of the
orcas right now is so tragic so important to maintain their food resource it
was very simple and no-brainer to take off the king salmon from our menu to
help our environment.
Declared endangered in 2005, the Southern
Resident orca population has seen little recovery. In fact, more than two-thirds
of these whales’ pregnancies fail, and a recent study suggests the orcas
are starving because of human activity.
Resident orca population has seen little recovery. In fact, more than two-thirds
of these whales’ pregnancies fail, and a recent study suggests the orcas
are starving because of human activity.
Overfishing of chinook salmon is believed to
be the main cause of the orca population’s decline. Chinook salmon, who compose
roughly 80 percent of the whales’ diet, are a
critically endangered species, and overfishing is the primary reason. Popular
wild-caught fish, chinook salmon were added to the list of overfished species in 2015.
be the main cause of the orca population’s decline. Chinook salmon, who compose
roughly 80 percent of the whales’ diet, are a
critically endangered species, and overfishing is the primary reason. Popular
wild-caught fish, chinook salmon were added to the list of overfished species in 2015.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration published a report in 2013 warning about the impact of salmon
fishing on Southern Resident orca populations. Although the report expresses
uncertainty about the long-term effects, it states that ending or reducing
salmon fishing would have an immediate positive impact.
Administration published a report in 2013 warning about the impact of salmon
fishing on Southern Resident orca populations. Although the report expresses
uncertainty about the long-term effects, it states that ending or reducing
salmon fishing would have an immediate positive impact.
Our oceans are extremely complex ecosystems,
so when one species declines, others suffer. For instance, Atlantic puffins on the Shetland Islands depend on sand
eels to survive. Once sand eels were overfished, puffin numbers dramatically
declined. When herring is overfished, cod populations fall. Many fish species
and their predators are now endangered or face extinction because of
overfishing.
so when one species declines, others suffer. For instance, Atlantic puffins on the Shetland Islands depend on sand
eels to survive. Once sand eels were overfished, puffin numbers dramatically
declined. When herring is overfished, cod populations fall. Many fish species
and their predators are now endangered or face extinction because of
overfishing.
The best thing we can do for all marine
animals is to refuse to support an industry that disrupts the balance of
nature’s ecosystems and puts species at risk for extinction.
animals is to refuse to support an industry that disrupts the balance of
nature’s ecosystems and puts species at risk for extinction.
But eating seafood doesn’t just hurt orcas and
other “cute marine mammals many people value; it’s also unspeakably cruel for
the innocent fish killed for food. Fish are similar to dogs and cats in their
experience of pain and pleasure.
other “cute marine mammals many people value; it’s also unspeakably cruel for
the innocent fish killed for food. Fish are similar to dogs and cats in their
experience of pain and pleasure.
In 2011 Mercy For Animals conducted an
undercover investigation at a fish slaughter facility and exposed
fish being skinned alive. They thrashed and fought to escape the
workers’ knives. As the fish gasped for oxygen, workers ripped off their skin
with pliers.
undercover investigation at a fish slaughter facility and exposed
fish being skinned alive. They thrashed and fought to escape the
workers’ knives. As the fish gasped for oxygen, workers ripped off their skin
with pliers.
Sounds horrifying, right? See for yourself.
Remember, the best way to protect fish and
other marine animals is to leave them off your plate. Learn more about
switching to a humane
plant-based diet to prevent cruelty to all animals used for food.
Then check out Gardein’s fishless filets and crabless
cakes, and click here for compassionate sea-inspired recipes.
other marine animals is to leave them off your plate. Learn more about
switching to a humane
plant-based diet to prevent cruelty to all animals used for food.
Then check out Gardein’s fishless filets and crabless
cakes, and click here for compassionate sea-inspired recipes.
