Friday, March 28, 2008

stoopidity


Chilean fish farm tanks - Photo NY Times

"Residual antibiotics have been detected in Chilean salmon that have been exported to the United States, Canada and Europe, Dr. Cabello said.

He estimated that 70 to 300 times more antibiotics are used by salmon producers in Chile to produce a ton of salmon than in Norway. But no hard data exist to corroborate the estimates, he said, “because there is almost an underground market of antibiotics in Chile for salmon aquaculture.”

Researchers say that some antibiotics that are not allowed in American aquaculture, like flumequine and oxolinic acid, are legal in Chile and may increase antibiotic resistance for people. Last June the United States Food and Drug Adminstration blocked the sale of five types of Chinese seafood because of the use of fluoroquinolones and other additives.

But huge numbers of fish go uninspected. The F.D.A. inspected only 1.93 percent of all imported seafood in 2006, Food and Water Watch said, citing F.D.A. data."


- excerpt from NY Times article "Salmon Virus Indicts Chile's Fishing Methods"

8 comments:

twin said...

Amazing series of posts.

Even when I'm tired....I check here.

Foul Pete said...

Some pretty heavy content here recently Jeff, but its good to get this stuff on the table.

Gazelle said...

Thanks for reading, nm & fw. I've had heavy content on my mind lately so I figured I'd let some of it out...

Daniel said...

Three words: wild, local, and sustainable. If you can't find that, then I only have one word; vegetarian.

Gazelle said...

Everyone on the planet needs to adopt those two sentences like a mantra or we're going to be in deep trouble pretty soon.

Foul Pete said...

I agree but its not something everyone can do. I'm done preaching how other people should live (used to be a very pious vegan). As long as people are conscious of the implications of their consumption choices, lifestyle decisions etc. and weigh them up each time, then I think that's the best we can ask for.

Ultimately, we all know who is responsible for the 'big picture' destructions and its not just us individual consumers.

ras said...

The big picture is scary. I had to buy my first suit this week and man, try buying something like that locally within your price range.

I agree with Daniel although I don't practice it. I grew up in a country where meat was an important part of the culture and I have a hard time giving it up even though I know how harmful and senseless the industry is.

Not making excuses or maybe I am I don't know. One thing I like about your photos though is that you always find the beauty. Even in our deepest cynicism and self-destruction there's still plenty of beauty and that's got to be worth something.

Gazelle said...

FW -

I agree that consciousness is crucial, and maybe all we can ask for among the masses. But that leads to more informed decisions and we all benefit from that. And things are changing for the better in many ways (though too slowly in my opinion). For example, even at a large discount supermarket, lower income people can make more healthy and sustainable product choices than ever before (though maybe not so local).

Ras -

Sometimes I think the beauty in a fleeting moment is all we have (even though I know better), and that's why I love photography so much. Thanks for visiting.