This is the story of Oma, Japan – a nondescript, seafaring, coastal community whose main source of revenue is bluefin tuna.  But what separates Oma from most of the region is its call for greater regulation of fishing catches in response to record declines in bluefin tuna – a point of view not shared by the majority of the nation.

Back in June around National Ocean Day, we posted a blog about Obama giving his Ocean Task Force 90 days to come up with a plan for the ocean.  Well, on September 17 they came out with an interim report that’s worth looking at.  Some highlights of the report include:

There are numerous healthy benefits of eating seafood. Fish and shellfish contain high levels of protein and essential nutrients and low levels of saturated fat.  “Oily” fish like mackerel, sardines, and wild salmon are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can promote neurological development, and reduce cardiovascular disease and growth of some cancers.

In our 8/27/09 post entitled “Bluefin Tuna Update!” we said to stay tuned as Europe was sorting out their position on the state of bluefin tuna.

“I should eat farmed fish to help save wild fish populations, right?”

The following op-ed by Carl Safina appeared in LaNacion, on September 2, 2009.  For the spanish version click here!

You say tuh-mey-toh, I say tuh-mah-toh.