Human consumption of salmon and lobster triggers marine imbalances

Studies conducted by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) off the coast of Tasmania have revealed that lobster fishing results in increased populations of spiny sea urchins. These species then overgraze kelp beds, causing areas known as sea urchin barrens, which triggers further biodiversity loss and disrupts important rocky reef ecosystems.

Moreover, the scientists found the farmed salmon fishing also has a severe impact on marine life, with as much as four kilograms of wild fish being killed to produce one kilogram of Tasmanian salmon. In addition, nearly 18 tons of antibiotics were fed to these farmed fish from 2006-2008 due to their susceptibility to disease because of extremely confined conditions, with as many as 50,000 to a pen.

With temperatures of coastal waters in eastern Tasmania rising four times faster than the global average, the researchers warn that human-induced stressors such as lobster and salmon fishing increase the tolls and reduce the ecosystems’ capacity to adapt. What’s more, the farming of salmon generates vast amounts of toxic waste that are now polluting the once-pristine Tasmanian environment.

Our gratefulness, Australian Marine Conservation Society scientists for these findings. May all people quickly heed the urgency of this information and switch to wholesome vegan lifestyles for the conservation of precious marine life.

During a May 2009 videoconference in Togo, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke, as on previous occasions, about the marine biodiversity loss that is mainly caused by fish consumption.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: Balanced marine ecosystems are extremely important, as more than two-thirds of the planet is covered by oceans. They provide half of the world’s oxygen and play a major part in regulating the global climate. To disturb the balance of the seas, thus, ultimately places our own lives in danger.

Supreme Master Ching Hai: What we are seeing from these fish and marine life are signs of distress.
Stop eating the flesh; stop killing for food; stop eating the fish.

We should be looking for ways to help the fish, to protect them and all the marine life from the devastating effects of climate change. Once we start thinking in this way, we are in a better position for ourselves, for the fish and for the planet.

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20091512-20412.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/08/2765421.htm
http://nccnsw.org.au/index.php?option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=50&Itemid=164
http://www.amcs.org.au/

UK Parliament questions consumption of fish, meat and dairy.

A report published on Tuesday by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of the British Parliament said that the government should rethink its previous advice favoring fish consumption. Citing a perilous decline in the marine environment, the report recommended ensuring food security by growing more fruits and vegetables instead.

In acknowledging the adverse effects of meat production as well, the report stated, “UK consumers buying meat and dairy products should be encouraged to consider the environmental, as well as the health, impacts of their choices.”

A big thank you, British Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, for your interest in safeguarding both humans and the environment. We look forward to your country’s exemplary leadership in advocating the wholesome plant-based diet for the good of all.

Reference:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8160602.stm

Fish consumption causes environmental devastation.

A Canadian Medical Association Journal report urges health care practitioners to recommend plant-based fats instead of fish because health benefits from have actually been found to be questionable, and the devastation to global fish supply is clear.|

Their report states, “These trends imply the collapse of all commercially exploited stocks by mid-century. Yet the dire status of fisheries resources is largely unrecognized by the public, who are both encouraged to eat more fish and are misled into believing we live in a sea of plenty.” The scientists also point out that commercial fisheries are not a viable solution because up to five pounds of small fish are taken from the ocean to grow one pound of commercial fish. They suggest that healthcare practitioners instead recommend the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids from algae, yeast, and other plant sources.

We are encouraged by your report, Canadian researchers. Our prayers that people everywhere receive this message and understand that plant-based foods preserve our own health and that of our valued aquatic co-inhabitants.

In a videoconference in December 2008 with dignitaries and the media in California, USA, Supreme Master Ching Hai emphasized the spiritual need to include all animals, including fish, in a compassionate meat-free diet.

Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Celestial Art Book Premiere – English edition California, USA December 12, 2008

Supreme Master Ching Hai: I was informed also that people eat all kinds of things and call themselves vegetarian, even chicken vegetarian and fish vegetarian and all that. So now the definition is vegan. Vegan means absolutely no to all animal products, even to wear or to advertise for it, or to support anybody who does harm to animals in anyway at all.

We have to protect the animals because that means protecting our great Selves. Because our great Self is love, our true Self is compassion. If we do not protect the animals, that means we are damaging, ruining, depleting, harming our true Self, which is love, which is noble, which is compassion. That’s what it is, protect others means protect us. Protect animals means we’re growing in greatness. We recognize again our great Self.