Menhaden,
a fish that plays a vital role in maintaining Atlantic Coast
ecosystems, is suffering from decades of depletion through overfishing
and global warming. Hundreds of millions of pounds of menhaden are
ground into feed for hogs, chickens, pets and salmon, while also being
used in omega-3 oils and in lipstick, paint,
and other items.
As
described by New York Times journalist Paul Greenberg and US author H.
Bruce Franklin, the menhaden is an herbivorous fish whose algae
consumption actually purifies tremendous amounts of water.
However,
due to population losses, places such as Chesapeake Bay in the USA are
now muddy-brown and contain a growing number of dead zones. In addition,
the waste of commercial pig and chicken operations flowing into the
Neuse River of North Carolina, USA, has caused vast algal blooms. As
millions of menhaden
try at once to consume the massive amounts of
algae, the insufficient oxygen in the warm water has caused them to
suffocate en masse. In the summer of 2009 alone, up to 50 million
menhaden were killed and washed ashore along the Neuse River.
Of
note is the fact that according to nutritional experts at the US-based
Mayo Clinic, substitutes for oil obtained from menhaden readily exist in
the form of plant-based oils such as flax seed.
Our
appreciation Mr. Greenberg, Mr. Franklin, and Mayo Clinic scientists. We
pray that humans quickly cease to consume fish and meat, which are at
the root of climate change and environmental imbalance. May all of us
strive to develop compassion and live in harmony with our animal
co-inhabitants. At a March 2009 climate change conference in Xalapa
City, Mexico, joined by Mexican dignitaries and the public, honored
guest Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke, as in other occasions, about the
preciousness of every species to all life on the planet.
It’s not
only oil but other of our actions as well, such as overfishing and
chemical run-off from farms and factories. These all cause harm, because
they do not consider the impact of our actions on other beings.
Every
being on Earth and in the sea has value, no matter how small they might
look, and something unique to do on this planet. It is our ignoring of
this balance and the preciousness of all lives that has contributed to
our global danger right now.
The way to solve this problem is
through greater consideration for all lives. This means we should
respect all lives, and in action. If everyone is vegan, having an
animal-free diet, then there is a different outlook, different
conception for development of all kinds. In our case, it will proceed
with compassion and care, which is what we need to restore the wonders
of our marine life.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/opinion/16greenberg.html?_r=1http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A407465
http://www.ethicurean.com/2009/03/23/menhaden/http://www.newbernsj.com/news/top-54224-economy-journal.htmlhttp://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/environment/2009/dec/Dwindling-Population-of-Crucial-Fish-Could-Require-Federal-Attention.html