Comments on: The Future of Fish http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html Translating the Chef's Craft for Every Kitchen Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:33:14 +0000 hourly 1 By: alice beneicke http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34988 alice beneicke Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34988 Legendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle shares astonishing images of the ocean and shocking stats about its rapid decline. <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sylvia_earle_s_ted_prize_wish_to_protect_our_oceans.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sylvia_earle_s_ted_prize_wish_to_protect_our_oceans.html</a> Preview of Jacques Perrin's new film Oceans. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EMUqVidFbM&feature=related" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EMUqVidFbM&feature=related</a> Legendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle shares astonishing images of the ocean and shocking stats about its rapid decline.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sylvia_earle_s_ted_prize_wish_to_protect_our_oceans.html

Preview of Jacques Perrin’s new film Oceans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EMUqVidFbM&feature=related

]]> By: Jacqueline http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34987 Jacqueline Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34987 Michael: there's the link to the round up. 37+ recipes from 9 chefs and bloggers and home cooks in 10 countries. Separate listing of resources includes articles, organizations, videos, more recipes, additional links. Cheers, Jacqueline Church [dot] com Keller is being honored at next year's Cooking for Solutions and AB is back. Michael: there’s the link to the round up.
37+ recipes from 9 chefs and bloggers and home cooks in 10 countries. Separate listing of resources includes articles, organizations, videos, more recipes, additional links.

Cheers,
Jacqueline Church [dot] com

Keller is being honored at next year’s Cooking for Solutions and AB is back.

]]> By: carri http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34986 carri Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34986 Kanani, it's awsome to have a cheerleader out there in cyberland...next time you come to Homer to fish, come say Hey! Kanani, it’s awsome to have a cheerleader out there in cyberland…next time you come to Homer to fish, come say Hey!

]]> By: Michele Niesen http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34985 Michele Niesen Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34985 I agree with Joni. This is an everyman's deal. We need to back off. Get on the bean and legume train. Nothing is more sustainable than that. I know, I know. What about my Omega rich protein. Sure. Well, travel through Central America or India and you'll see entire populations living and growing without ever seeing a King Salmon. You won't perish without it. But unfortunately the fish will perish if they don't get a breather. And then it's game over. But aside from the navel gazing liberal fuzz nuts of the now down trodden "elite" and "educated" (when did that become such a four letter word?) We have to figure out a way to bring the message to everyone. Not just the Greenmarketers buying the single vineyard arugula stuffed goat cheese. There is a HUGE chasm of mis-education out there. Even the folks who talk the talk don't really know what's up. And the uneducated? Don't get me started. I've lived in urban areas my whole life and am now in a very rural one. It's like being on the moon. Sustainable. Hmmm, what does that mean? We hear it daily--is it bamboo or hemp. Is it mackeral or tilapia. Farm raised or wild? Does it mean it's okay, or is it as big a loop hole as "organic". As a chef and an owner (until last year) of a small boutique restaurant that could afford to take the time and charge the money for the day boat this and the copper river that--I was continually surprised at how many people just don't give a crap. If they have the $ they think it's their god given right to eat the good stuff --Poor people don't consider much more than, well, price. And who can blame them? Who can worry about sustaining fish when you're trying to figure out how to sustain your family. We're doing it wrong. In France for example, there are rich and poor, but they all get access to the same good food. Why are we only letting the organic buffalo yogurt out to the mook who'll pay $5 for it? That's good old fashioned caste system. Let's figure out the next step. I think we've established the problem. And no the government is probably NOT going to help us. I see a couple ways out of this...eat less, grow something, shine the light on the bad corporate entities. If a bunch of old Frenchmen can overthrow a McDonald's chain, we certainly can do something. Lining the pockets of Whole Foods is not a way out. I agree with Joni. This is an everyman’s deal. We need to back off. Get on the bean and legume train. Nothing is more sustainable than that. I know, I know. What about my Omega rich protein. Sure. Well, travel through Central America or India and you’ll see entire populations living and growing without ever seeing a King Salmon. You won’t perish without it. But unfortunately the fish will perish if they don’t get a breather. And then it’s game over.

But aside from the navel gazing liberal fuzz nuts of the now down trodden “elite” and “educated” (when did that become such a four letter word?) We have to figure out a way to bring the message to everyone. Not just the Greenmarketers buying the single vineyard arugula stuffed goat cheese. There is a HUGE chasm of mis-education out there. Even the folks who talk the talk don’t really know what’s up. And the uneducated? Don’t get me started. I’ve lived in urban areas my whole life and am now in a very rural one. It’s like being on the moon.

Sustainable. Hmmm, what does that mean? We hear it daily–is it bamboo or hemp. Is it mackeral or tilapia. Farm raised or wild? Does it mean it’s okay, or is it as big a loop hole as “organic”. As a chef and an owner (until last year) of a small boutique restaurant that could afford to take the time and charge the money for the day boat this and the copper river that–I was continually surprised at how many people just don’t give a crap. If they have the $ they think it’s their god given right to eat the good stuff –Poor people don’t consider much more than, well, price. And who can blame them? Who can worry about sustaining fish when you’re trying to figure out how to sustain your family.

We’re doing it wrong. In France for example, there are rich and poor, but they all get access to the same good food. Why are we only letting the organic buffalo yogurt out to the mook who’ll pay $5 for it? That’s good old fashioned caste system. Let’s figure out the next step. I think we’ve established the problem. And no the government is probably NOT going to help us.

I see a couple ways out of this…eat less, grow something, shine the light on the bad corporate entities. If a bunch of old Frenchmen can overthrow a McDonald’s chain, we certainly can do something. Lining the pockets of Whole Foods is not a way out.

]]> By: Kanani http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34984 Kanani Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34984 Carri, I go to your café when I'm in Homer (inevitably, I end up fishing). You rock. Absolutely. You're the real deal. Carri, I go to your café when I’m in Homer (inevitably, I end up fishing). You rock. Absolutely. You’re the real deal.

]]> By: Joni http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34983 Joni Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34983 I'm a recent Ruhlman fan and, in fact, received my first Ruhlman book today (A Return to Cooking). What a treat to visit the blog and find a great post like this one. It's important that more chefs/restaurant owners/food industry professionals recognize how critical this issue is. The world needs protein, fishermen need jobs, we all need sustainability - these are all important issues. But without a balanced marine ecosystem -- the health of the entire planet is at stake. If we continue to decimate ocean resources - at this rate we're looking at a planet consisting of 71% pond scum. This is not tree-hugging, liberal propaganda - this is scientific fact. I too can't understand why the beauty of marine life and its importance to the planet's ecosystems fails to capture our imaginations and to inspire us all to be good stewards of the ocean and the planet. If we want our children to enjoy the same bounty as we've enjoyed - we all need to recognize that we've gone beyond pushing the limits and it's time to back off. Ecosystems and species can recover given a chance. I’m a recent Ruhlman fan and, in fact, received my first Ruhlman book today (A Return to Cooking). What a treat to visit the blog and find a great post like this one. It’s important that more chefs/restaurant owners/food industry professionals recognize how critical this issue is. The world needs protein, fishermen need jobs, we all need sustainability – these are all important issues. But without a balanced marine ecosystem — the health of the entire planet is at stake. If we continue to decimate ocean resources – at this rate we’re looking at a planet consisting of 71% pond scum. This is not tree-hugging, liberal propaganda – this is scientific fact. I too can’t understand why the beauty of marine life and its importance to the planet’s ecosystems fails to capture our imaginations and to inspire us all to be good stewards of the ocean and the planet. If we want our children to enjoy the same bounty as we’ve enjoyed – we all need to recognize that we’ve gone beyond pushing the limits and it’s time to back off. Ecosystems and species can recover given a chance.

]]> By: jacqueline http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34982 jacqueline Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34982 Michael, I am launching my round up of my annual sustainable seafood event. We take into account success stories of fish such as swordfish. Nearly extinct not long ago, the efferts of chefs Moonen & Ripert et al. allowed stocks to recover and now we know how to harvest it sustainably. I have an entire page of resources (guides for most places around the world, websites, videos, articles and recipes) as well as recipes, photos, stories from home cooks trying to make better choices for their families and the planet, as well as top chefs and award-winning food writers. Site launch is any minute. I'll post re-direct and stop back to share URL. Michael, I am launching my round up of my annual sustainable seafood event. We take into account success stories of fish such as swordfish. Nearly extinct not long ago, the efferts of chefs Moonen & Ripert et al. allowed stocks to recover and now we know how to harvest it sustainably.

I have an entire page of resources (guides for most places around the world, websites, videos, articles and recipes) as well as recipes, photos, stories from home cooks trying to make better choices for their families and the planet, as well as top chefs and award-winning food writers.

Site launch is any minute. I’ll post re-direct and stop back to share URL.

]]> By: JB in San Diego http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34978 JB in San Diego Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34978 Any idea what happened in the late 70's, early 80's to cause an upward (or level) trend on all the graphs? Any idea what happened in the late 70’s, early 80’s to cause an upward (or level) trend on all the graphs?

]]> By: Scott http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34979 Scott Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34979 Its not great to think about only farmed fish since most studies indicate that they may not be all that great for us. Its not great to think about only farmed fish since most studies indicate that they may not be all that great for us.

]]> By: Cameron S. http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34980 Cameron S. Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34980 Rhonda - the Steveston dock is an example of a good thing in that the boat owners are locally based and I have heard they have a healthy long term view towards their industry. Rhonda – the Steveston dock is an example of a good thing in that the boat owners are locally based and I have heard they have a healthy long term view towards their industry.

]]> By: Rhonda http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34981 Rhonda Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34981 Cameron - Thank you. That makes me feel better. Cameron – Thank you. That makes me feel better.

]]> By: chadzilla http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34976 chadzilla Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34976 It's so great to see this issue becoming more of an issue. Perhaps we are not too far off from the powers that be to actually notice it. It seems to have been swept under the rug for so long. It’s so great to see this issue becoming more of an issue. Perhaps we are not too far off from the powers that be to actually notice it. It seems to have been swept under the rug for so long.

]]> By: luis http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34977 luis Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34977 This has been a megatrend and nature can not fight back against the technology. We can exterminate every living thing in the planet. How much is enough??? This is almost too much to take in.. Really. Way too much. The changes in this world are too fast and furious and devastating. Damm in the 3 secs of evolutionary time we all dwell in the instabillity of the systems is far too much over the top. I don't need a play by play of the destruction of farmland or rain forests.. or the oceans for that matter.... enough! you are killing me man... This has been a megatrend and nature can not fight back against the technology. We can exterminate every living thing in the planet.
How much is enough??? This is almost too much to take in.. Really. Way too much. The changes in this world are too fast and furious and devastating. Damm in the 3 secs of evolutionary time we all dwell in the instabillity of the systems is far too much over the top. I don’t need a play by play of the destruction of farmland or rain forests.. or the oceans for that matter…. enough! you are killing me man…

]]> By: carri http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34975 carri Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34975 One more thing...regulation, while it has led to what seems to be a well managed fishery for the Halibut industry, has had an interesting effect on how we procure seafood for our family to eat. Before, we could get a fish off the boat my husband fished on for personal use after a commercial halibut 'opener'. Now with every pound being counted by NMFS officers (they have uniforms and guns and watch the whole unloading process) we have to go out and catch our own for sport if we want some for dinner or to put up for winter! One more thing…regulation, while it has led to what seems to be a well managed fishery for the Halibut industry, has had an interesting effect on how we procure seafood for our family to eat. Before, we could get a fish off the boat my husband fished on for personal use after a commercial halibut ‘opener’. Now with every pound being counted by NMFS officers (they have uniforms and guns and watch the whole unloading process) we have to go out and catch our own for sport if we want some for dinner or to put up for winter!

]]> By: Rhonda http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34972 Rhonda Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34972 Cameron S: Thank you for your post. I am a fish snob and go to Steveston to get fish right off the boats. Am I accidentally shitting where I eat? I THOUGHT I was doing a good thing. How can I tell the "good" fisherman from the bad? Cameron S:

Thank you for your post. I am a fish snob and go to Steveston to get fish right off the boats. Am I accidentally shitting where I eat?

I THOUGHT I was doing a good thing. How can I tell the “good” fisherman from the bad?

]]> By: Laurence http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34973 Laurence Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34973 @Gale: Hardly whining. Just wondering how "we" are going to "manage" fisheries to supply enough fish of any size for even as many as 10% of the world's population. Bravo to the Alaskans for managing their fisheries, but how many people can survive paying $23/pound for Copper River Salmon? There's only so many fish in the sea. "Managing" almost certainly means taking less. Less supply means higher prices. Boutique food for the affluent, dreck for the rest? Fish farming offers a rational option and more choices for feeding the rest of us, but I don't need a lecture from Bittman et al on why I should feel guilty about not buying food *I* can't afford. @Gale: Hardly whining. Just wondering how “we” are going to “manage” fisheries to supply enough fish of any size for even as many as 10% of the world’s population. Bravo to the Alaskans for managing their fisheries, but how many people can survive paying $23/pound for Copper River Salmon?

There’s only so many fish in the sea. “Managing” almost certainly means taking less. Less supply means higher prices. Boutique food for the affluent, dreck for the rest? Fish farming offers a rational option and more choices for feeding the rest of us, but I don’t need a lecture from Bittman et al on why I should feel guilty about not buying food *I* can’t afford.

]]> By: carri http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34974 carri Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34974 The heartbreaking part of the Salmon harvest is that, sure, you have your copper river kings that sell for $23 a pound, but there is an abundance of bristol bay red salmon (While not as prized as kings are a really tasty fish) that never gets harvested because there's no one willing to bring in enough processing during the run to take advantage of all the fish available once they reached their escapement quotas. The one good thing (I can't believe I'm saying this) Sarah Palin has done here is to open the dialog to invite foreign processors in to help with the harvest...more sustainble fish for the world is out there, it just has to be done right! The heartbreaking part of the Salmon harvest is that, sure, you have your copper river kings that sell for $23 a pound, but there is an abundance of bristol bay red salmon (While not as prized as kings are a really tasty fish) that never gets harvested because there’s no one willing to bring in enough processing during the run to take advantage of all the fish available once they reached their escapement quotas. The one good thing (I can’t believe I’m saying this) Sarah Palin has done here is to open the dialog to invite foreign processors in to help with the harvest…more sustainble fish for the world is out there, it just has to be done right!

]]> By: gale http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34971 gale Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34971 I guess I am trying to figure out what the first poster is whining about 'let them eat cake', etc. Bittman is saying that we should broaden our fish eating habits and manage world wide fisheries better so that fifty years (or a lot less) there still are viable fisheries throughout the world. Depleting the oceans of sardines, anchovies, etc. for fish meal doesn't make much sense. The successful Alaska efforts to manage their fisheries makes a lot. Carri and Cameron are so right. I guess I am trying to figure out what the first poster is whining about ‘let them eat cake’, etc. Bittman is saying that we should broaden our fish eating habits and manage world wide fisheries better so that fifty years (or a lot less) there still are viable fisheries throughout the world. Depleting the oceans of sardines, anchovies, etc. for fish meal doesn’t make much sense. The successful Alaska efforts to manage their fisheries makes a lot. Carri and Cameron are so right.

]]> By: Matthew Pennington http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34969 Matthew Pennington Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34969 I don't think anyone can look at the state of agriculture today and come up with a conclusion which does not include large food shortages across the world in the relatively near future. The "warm fuzzy" food politics which people like Bittman, Pollan, and our own Ruhlman espouse are actually attempts to mitigate the effects of the eventual collapse of our petroleum-fueled monoculture subsistence. Pretending that 1) having wealth will not aid the West in this transition and 2) that people throughout the world will not suffer greatly from this is not going to help anything or anyone. I don’t think anyone can look at the state of agriculture today and come up with a conclusion which does not include large food shortages across the world in the relatively near future. The “warm fuzzy” food politics which people like Bittman, Pollan, and our own Ruhlman espouse are actually attempts to mitigate the effects of the eventual collapse of our petroleum-fueled monoculture subsistence. Pretending that 1) having wealth will not aid the West in this transition and 2) that people throughout the world will not suffer greatly from this is not going to help anything or anyone.

]]> By: Peter Steinberg http://blog.ruhlman.com/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html/comment-page-1#comment-34970 Peter Steinberg Tue, 30 Nov 1999 06:00:00 +0000 http://ruhlman.com/newblog/2008/11/the-future-of-f.html#comment-34970 I have to say -- it seems to me that no matter what we do, all forms of sustenance are going to get stretched thinner and thinner... as long as the world population keeps growing. Might we be reaching the population limits of what our planet can sustainably support? Peter <a target="_blank" title="FlashlightWorthy.com" href="http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com" rel="nofollow">FlashlightWorthy.com</a> Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. ;) I have to say — it seems to me that no matter what we do, all forms of sustenance are going to get stretched thinner and thinner… as long as the world population keeps growing. Might we be reaching the population limits of what our planet can sustainably support?

Peter
FlashlightWorthy.com
Recommending books so good, they’ll keep you up past your bedtime. ;)

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