When you think of environmental conservation efforts on a large scale, some activist organizations will probably come to mind. However, whether you know it or not, many communities around the world operate on the same lofty principles as these environmental groups. The reasoning is simple: When a certain lifestyle requires that you protect natural resources in order to continue, environmental concerns are in no way peripheral. They represent the future of the community itself.
You might say that Alaska’s marine habitats have a built-in system of protection. In this wild northern state, there are a number of communities that depend on continued supplies of seafood for income. Turning a blind eye to overfishing would simply do no good for Alaskans. It’s like taking from one hand and giving it to the other, knowing that neither will be full in the future as a result.
There is a relatively small population in Alaska, while the state has over 30,000 miles of coastline. The icy waters have been supplying stocks of seafood for centuries, and fishing and harvesting runs in the blood of many families. Alaska’s marine habitats are the lifeline of these families, who know that as long as the stock of terrific seafood is sustained, their livelihood will continue with it.
From the earliest days of settlement in Alaska, it was clear that the sea would provide a terrific source of food. It was not yet known what kind of essential nutrients are supplied by the consumption of seafood, but even then it was clear that a healthy life included seafood. Hundreds of years later, the seafood industry is the biggest source of jobs for Alaskan residents.
Because of these reasons, it’s no surprise that the state constitution includes laws that protect Alaska’s marine habitats. From protected zones in the waters (known as MPA’s) to regulations on the fisheries themselves, the combined fight to limit waste and ensure plentiful seasons in the future is almost guaranteed to succeed. That’s good news for consumers who love great seafood, as well as families that depend on the industry to continue long into the future.
It's up to us to protect the planet. Check out the
sustainability tips from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. Alaska's fishermen have a long tradition of effective
resource management to ensure that generations to come can enjoy fresh seafood.
