What is the Sustainable Seafood Issue?

At one time, it seemed that the world's oceans could supply us with an endless supply of seafood. However, as the human population has grown and people have become concerned about healthier eating, the demand for seafood has increased dramatically. In the United States alone, per person consumption of seafood is 15 pounds per year. This increased demand, combined with over fishing (catching fish faster then they can reproduce); harmful fishing methods and habitat destruction have caused some fish populations to plummet. According to the U.S. Government, nearly 100 fish species are considered overfished.

In 2006, The Walt Disney Company in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund hosted leaders from the environmental community and the seafood industry at Walt Disney World to discuss this ongoing issue. Meeting participants explored opportunities to enhance communication, identified key challenges and examined possible solutions to the sustainable seafood issue.

What Types of Fish have been Affected by Overfishing?

Unfortunately, many fish species popular among consumers have become over fished. For instance, in New England, cod which once sustained a thriving industry, are now almost gone. Atlantic bluefin tuna, Atlantic swordfish and many kinds of West Coast rockfish have also been severely impacted. Monkfish and shark, once discarded as "trash fish," have themselves become overfished. Overfishing has forced fishermen to look in deeper waters for new species, including orange roughy and Chilean Sea Bass whose populations have now become threatened as well.

What about Farm-Raised Fish?

To help meet the heavy demand for seafood, some people are raising fish and shellfish like farmers raise cattle and chickens. Fish farming, also called "aquaculture", provides almost 20% of the seafood currently consumed. Globally, fish farming practices range from the use of cutting edge technology to practices that that have been utilize for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, some of these farming techniques can pose a threat to our environment unless they are designed and managed in an "eco-friendly: manner. While some states and countries are using regulations and environmentally friendly practices others are not. Aquaculture in itself is not the answer to feeding the world, but it can be used as a tool along with many other management practices to help lessen the stress on our natural fish stocks while meeting the global demand for seafood.

What's the Solution?

• Remember, as a consumer, your choices DO matter! By choosing seafood that supports responsible fishing practices, eating a variety of seafood instead of concentrating on a few species and rewarding coastal communities that help protect oceans and sea life, we can all make a difference.
  
  
• Promote the protection of critical fishing areas and the use of more environmentally friendly fishing methods. By promoting fishing methods that spare the seafloor and reduce bycatch ( fish and marine life that is caught unintentionally) and reducing the use of fishing practices such as bottom trawling (which catch fish by dragging nets across the seafloor) we can spare the homes and lives of many of the fish we eat and help replenish their populations. Habitat friendly fishing methods include long lining, trap, line and hook fishing.
  
  
• Encourage more environmentally friendly fish farming practices. With new technology, it's been found that shrimp and salmon farming can be moved inland, avoiding potential damage to coastal habitats and wild fish populations. Researchers and U.S. shrimp farmers are currently experimenting with enclosed, recirculating systems that filter wastewater and can be located far from the coast.
  
  

By making environmentally responsible choices, consumers can influence the seafood industry and government regulators to better conserve our ocean resources. For more information on sustainable seafood and how you can make responsible seafood choices, visit www.seafoodchoices.com.

How Can I See the Animals at the Living Seas Up-Close and Learn More About Them?

The Living Seas has unique educational experiences for both adult Guests and students. Many of these experiences provide access to behind-the-scenes animal care areas, opportunities to meet members of our animal care staff, and up-close (and, in some cases, in-water) animal experiences. All programs include in-depth information on marine life and conservation. For more information on student programs, call (877) FIELDTRIP or click onto www.youtheducationseries.com. For more information on Guest programs, call (407) WDW-TOUR.

Special Guest Experiences at the Living Seas Benefit the
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund!

Disney's Dolphins in Depth
This three-hour program is an in-depth, behind-the-scenes experience to learn more about the dolphins and research at the Living Seas, as well as to increase awareness and appreciation for their counterparts in the wild. This program educates Guests and provides valuable information to create a better understanding and heighten appreciation for these marvelous creatures.

Dive Quest
The ultimate dive is in a 6-million-gallon indoor aquarium with more then 65 species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and diverse tropical fish. This dive offers guaranteed calm seas, no current, unlimited visibility, incredible marine life, and bright coral structures. It could only happen at the Living Seas in EPCOT!

Aquatours
This unique program offers an up-close look into more then 65 diverse species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, rays, and tropical fish. This adventure takes Guests into the water to explore the Living Seas marine environment using a Scuba-Assisted Snorkel (SAS) unit. Before entering the water, participants tour the aquarium and learn about some of the marine life they will encounter on this amazing aqua tour adventure.