In an omega-3-crazed world hungry for fish, Earth's oceans are getting tapped out. So aquaculturists are feverishly farming seafood to meet demand. Seems like a simple solution. But environmentalists complain that farms pollute neighboring waters, concentrate toxins in edible flesh, and disrupt ecosystems whenever a swimmer escapes. Plus, in extreme cases, such as salmon, it takes 6.5 pounds of wild species (mostly plentiful ones like herring and sardine) to grow 1 pound of farmed fish. What's more, some foodstuffs can't be farmed, and with popular entrées like tuna in decline, others are taking up the slack. Hope you like carp.
Illustration by Kevin Hand
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