Discussion Forum 13 - Seafood Choices

Seafood Choices

Now that you hopefully have a good understanding of the problems associated with commercial fishing, I want you to consider more specifically the seafood choices that you make.

 Visit the following websites:

• http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx (Links to an external site.)
• http://seafood.edf.org/guide/best (Links to an external site.)
• http://www.fishsource.org/ (Links to an external site.)
•  

*Choose a specific species of seafood that you like to eat or, if you don't eat seafood, one that interests you for other reasons. Then do some additional internet research to learn more about that particular species of fish (you may also choose a marine invertebrate like shrimp, clams, or lobsters).

*Remember to please be specific!  For example, "Rockfish" is NOT specific enough.  It is a general term for many species.

*Bocaccio Rockfish, however, is the common name for a specific species and Sebastes paucispinis is its scientific name (scientific names are 2-part names and should be italicized) .

 DIRECTIONS FOR YOUR PRIMARY POST In at least 200 words:

1. Provide the common name and the scientific name of the species that you chose.
2. Summarize the fisheries for this seafood (where it is typically found, how it is often captured, does it have issues with mercury contamination or other warnings associated with its consumption, estimated population sizes, conservation notes, seasonality, product form, and buying tips).
3. Based on the information you gave above, would you recommend this species to other people?  Why or why not?
4. Cite sources of facts/data etc., but do not include quoted passages.  Your entire post should be your own words, thoughts, feelings, and ideas about this topic.  

DIRECTIONS FOR YOUR POST TO YOUR CLASSMATES: In at least 100 words for each response:

1. Read posts from your classmates and choose two that discuss a species that interests you. Their species must be different than the one you chose for your primary post.
2. Do a little additional research on their species.
3. Add some additional information about their species that they did not cover.  Full credit will not be given unless you provide additional information about their species as  part of your response.