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"Global consumption of fish has doubled since 1973, and the developing world has been responsible for nearly all of this growth. Countries with rapid population growth, rapid income growth, and urbanization tend to have the greatest increases in consumption of animal products, including fish products, and the developing world has experienced all three trends. China, where income
growth and urbanization have been major factors, dominates consumption of fish products. It accounted for about 36 percent of global consumption in 1997, compared with only 11 percent in 1973. India and Southeast Asia together accounted for another 17 percent in 1997, with total consumption doubling since 1973." (Ahmed et al., 2003). We can see that education efforts must reach the developing world and those who are most dependent on fishing. (WHAT'S OUR PLAN HERE??)
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In 1999 the world's population reached 6 billion, and has been growing at increasingly large rates ever since (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 1999). As the population grows, our natural resources become strained. The number of individuals to feed is growing exponentially. As a result, there is an ever-increasing demand for fish, as well as for the possible alternatives to fish. In certain developing countries, such as China, India and Indonesia, the population is increasing so rapidly that controlling it would have a large effect on fisheries. Education of the public in such countries is the most ethical way of relieving the situation, though it will be a difficult task, especially in regions where family size is determined by tradition or culture. For this reason we advocate the creation and extension of programs to educate people in these developing countries about family planning and contraception. The specifics of such campaigns are outside the scope of this project, but they are relevant because the population growth rate will affect fisheries in the future.
Methyl Mercury Effects
The education aspect of the proposed solution would include informing people of the negative consequences of fish consumption in hopes to reduce it, such as toxic mercury content which can be found in certain ocean fish species:
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"For fetuses, infants, and children, the primary health effect of methyl mercury is impaired neurological development. Methyl mercury exposure in the womb, which can result from a mother's consumption of fish and shellfish that contain methyl mercury, can adversely affect a baby's growing brain and nervous system. Impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to methyl mercury in the womb. Recent human biological monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1999 and 2000 shows that the majority of people have blood mercury levels below a level associated with possible health effects. Outbreaks of methyl mercury poisonings have made it clear that adults, children, and developing fetuses are at risk from ingestion exposure to \[the compound\]." (Health Effects, 2007). |
Protein Alternatives
Another possible approach to reducing fish consumption would be to inform individuals of the advantages of becoming a vegan or vegetarian. Mission 2011 does not support replacing the protein and nutritional value gained from fish with other animal meats, especially cattle: the beef industry is a large contributor to global warming through activities ranging from the clear-cutting of forests to methane production by cattle (Marian, 2007). We do endorse obtaining the necessary nutrients from combinations of grain/wheat/flour with legumes/vegetables/beans. Additional information on combining foods to achieve optimal protein intake from non-animal sources can be found on Protein in the Vegan Diet and on this Protein Information Sheet. We also recognize that protein replacement in societies entirely dependent on fish, or in countries with little arable land, is much more difficult and less logical. Therefore, Mission 2011 strongly encourages people with access to other sources of protein to substantially decrease their consumption of fish.
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