Health agencies and the medical community continue to recommend increased consumption of fatty fish due to the health benefits of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. However, global fisheries are currently in a state of severe crisis as demand outweighs supply. This has become a socio-economic issue as well, as declining stocks are being diverted from local markets to affluent markets. This means serious consequences for the food security of poorer countries and coastal communities. Some experts are recommending more research to clarify the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, as results of some studies on the health benefits have been mixed. Others recommend lab-grown algae-derived omega-3 fatty acid supplements as a cleaner, sustainable alternative to fatty fish, in addition to a diet featuring adequate plant-based omega-3s from foods such as dark green leafy vegetables. I have found a great book on the state of the world's fish supply to be End of the Line: How Overfishing is Changing the World and What We Eat by Charles Clover. It is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand where we are at and how we got here in terms of fish, the environment, and the food supply.

-Karen